England squad LIVE: Sarina Wiegman reveals Leah Williamson decision ahead of Lionesses friendlies
There is a recall for the Lionesses captain ahead of friendlies against Austria and Italy later this month
Lionesses captain Leah Williamson has returned to the England squad ahead of a pair of international friendlies against Austria and Italy later this month.
The centre-back has not played for England since last April and was forced to miss the World Cup after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament towards the end of last season.
Williamson returned to action for Arsenal two weeks ago and her availability has arrived at a good time for the Lionesses. Williamson replaces the injured Millie Bright as Wiegman named a 23-player squad ahead of the upcoming training camp in the south of Spain.
After missing out on the Nations League finals in dramatic fashion in December, Wiegman’s side will begin their preparations for the start of Euro 2025 qualifying in April.
There was only one more change from the previous squad, with Manchester City midfielder Jess Park replacing Manchester United’s Katie Zelem.
Follow live updates from the Lionesses squad announcement, below
England squad LIVE: Latest updates
The squad is out... and captain Leah Williamson is IN.
England squad LIVE: Latest updates
Sarina Wiegman will discuss her selections in a press conference after she announces her Lionesses squad at 11:15!
England squad LIVE: Latest updates
Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating has also been in impressive form, and produced a brilliant performance at the weekend in her team’s 1-0 win at Arsenal in the FA Cup.
The 20-year-old has been in England’s last two squads but remains uncapped. Could she make her debut this month?
England squad LIVE: Latest updates
Could Wiegman bring in some new faces?
Apart from injuries, the Lionesses squad has been pretty established since the run-up to the World Cup, but one player who is threatening to break into Wiegman’s plans is Chelsea forward Aggie Beever-Jones.
The 20-year-old has impressed for the Blues this season and was rewarded with a new contract two weeks ago. Beever-Jones was nominated for WSL player of the month in November and has scored five goals in nine WSL appearances this season.
England squad LIVE: Latest updates
What about Millie Bright?
England were without both Williamson and Bright when they missed out on the Nations League finals in December, with the Chelsea defender sidelined since November with a knee injury.
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes said Bright was unlikely to be ready for England’s internationals this month and the centre-back is yet to return to action for the WSL champions.
The Blues are expecting Bright to be ready after this month’s international break.
England squad LIVE: Latest updates
Will Wiegman pick Williamson?
Even though the Lionesses captain has returned to the pitch, her selection is not guaranteed.
Wiegman took her time to bring Beth Mead back into the fold when the Arsenal forward returned from her ACL injury and waited until she was 100 per cent fit.
Williamson only played her first 90 minutes this past weekend, in Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Man City in the FA Cup.
Before that, she played the first half of Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham in the WSL, and she came off the bench as a substitute against Reading in the Conti Cup.
But with Millie Bright still out, England could do with having Williamson’s leadership back in the defence.
England squad LIVE: Latest updates
Leah Williamson’s last appearance for England came in April 2023 as the Lionesses suffered their first defeat under Sarina Wiegman in a friendly against Australia.
The Arsenal centre-back then suffered a ruptured ACL, missing the World Cup and leaving a hole in the Lionesses team.
England would reach the World Cup final without their captain, but Williamson’s return is a huge boost ahead of Euro 2025.
England squad LIVE: Latest updates
When is Euro 2025 qualifying?
After missing out on the Nations League finals, as well as the Summer Olympics, England’s next competitive matches will be in the Euro 2025 qualifiers.
The defending European champions will start their qualifying campaign in April - the Lionesses will be in League A in the reformed qualifying format, which mirrors the Nations League system.
The pots for the qualifying draw have yet to be confirmed but England are set to be in Pot 2 for the League A draw.
The qualifying draw will take place on 5 March and England could book their place as early as July 2024.
England squad LIVE: Latest updates
England will head to Spain later this month to play friendly matches against Austria and Italy.
The Lionesses would have planned to be in the Nations League finals, which are to be played in this international window, but Sarina Wiegman’s side missed out of the final four after finishing behind the Netherlands in the group phase.
The Lionesses will play Austria on Friday 23 February and then on Italy the following Tuesday.
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