England get boost ahead of Euro semi as captain Williamson trains
Williamson limped off with an ankle injury late in Thursday's dramatic quarter-final victory over Sweden which was decided by a penalty shootout.
Although there had been questions around Williamson's fitness, England defender Esme Morgan had said the team were "very optimistic Leah will be fine."
Jess Carter, who on Sunday announced she would be stepping back from social media after she was the target of racist abuse, also trained.
Defending champions England are appearing in their sixth consecutive European Championship semi-final.
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Daily Mirror
6 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
England receive Lauren James injury verdict as Lionesses confirm squad for Euro 2025 final
England will take on Spain on Sunday in the final of Euro 2025 at St Jakob-Park in Basel and the Lionesses have been sweating on the fitness of playmaker Lauren James Lionesses star Lauren James was involved in England's final training session ahead of the Euro 2025 final. James' availability for the final had been questioned after she was forced off in the semi-final against Italy and sat on the bench with ice on her injured ankle. Sarina Wiegman acknowledged on Friday that the Chelsea star was still recovering, but remained optimistic she could play a part on Sunday against Spain. '[We] don't know yet but that's what we're going to go for, for 23 players available for the game,' manager Wiegman said. If James is unable to start, England are expected to choose between Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly to replace her on the right. Mead started the opening game in the position and replaced James at half-time on Tuesday, but Kelly has made her case with decisive contribution from the bench in both knockout matches. James has started every match in the tournament so far, though, scoring an impressive brace in the 4-0 victory over the Netherlands. After joining the rest of the 23-player group in training in Zurich in Saturday, there is every hope she can play from the start on Sunday. The full complement of players took part in the session before England make the short hop to Basel. This suggests captain Leah Williamson felt no ill-effects from the 85 minutes she played against Italy after recovering from a rolled ankle. Lionesses boss Wiegman has been reluctant to change her starting line-up during the tournament, despite needing penalties against Sweden and extra-time against Italy. Nine of her squad members have started every game, with the only changes seeing Esme Morgan replace Jess Carter at centre-back for the semis and Ella Toone come in for Mead after the opening game, with James moving out to the wing. England's 'finishers' have been key, though, with Kelly and fellow substitute Michelle Agyemang scoring the goals in the comeback victory over Italy in forward Agyemang has still yet to start a senior game for her country, but her impact from the bench has made her hard to ignore. 'Michelle, I would think she's about 30 years old, she's so mature, so humble,' team-mate Toone said of the 19-year-old. 'She's come into this tournament with freedom, not a worry, not a care. 'She's turned up in big moments when we've needed her and she's got a lot of talent and she can do a lot of things that not many players can do. Even when she has scored and catches in games, she's been the same Michelle that she was when we started the tournament. 'I'm buzzing for her, it's nice for good people to get things that they deserve. She's definitely in the bubble now but when she gets out she'll be recognised by a lot more people than she was before the tournament, and she definitely deserves that.'
Times
6 minutes ago
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Lauren James gives England fitness boost ahead of Euro 2025 final
England received a fitness boost before the Euro 2025 final as Lauren James was able to train on Saturday despite concerns over an ankle injury. The forward, who has started all five games of England's campaign, was forced off at half-time in Tuesday's semi-final against Italy and was seen on the bench with ice on her right ankle. However, that she was able to train the day before the final against Spain in Basel indicates she is fit enough to play a role — be that as a starter or an impact substitute. Sarina Wiegman, the England head coach, had said on Friday that James's status for Sunday was uncertain. 'She's still recovering,' Wiegman said. 'She's doing things on the pitch and we have two more days so we're going to give her time. I don't know yet [if she'll be ready], but that's what we're going for — 23 players available for on Sunday.' Although James has not been at her mesmeric best at this Euros, she remains England's most gifted attacker and having her available for the final would be crucial. Her brilliant showing in the group stage against the Netherlands proved that she can deliver a world-class performance out of nowhere. Equally, Wiegman must weigh up whether James can start. If she cannot, then Chloe Kelly's chances of coming into the XI receive a big boost. Kelly has helped to rescue England as a substitute in their comebacks against Sweden in the quarter-finals and Italy in the semis, leading to calls for her to play from the beginning. The winger's direct running and probing crossing may be most effective against fatigued defenders, as shown by her two goal-creating deliveries against Sweden. Kelly also relishes coming on to save England, as she displayed by calmly scoring the 119th-minute winner against Italy on the rebound after her penalty was saved. If Kelly is preserved as an impact substitute, then Beth Mead could play in place of James. Mead started England's tournament opener against France but, after England suffered a chastening 2-1 defeat, dropped to the bench for the next game and has been unable to regain her place. Nevertheless, she offers subtle passing and clever movement that Kelly cannot quite replicate. As well as battling to play in the final, James is trying to overcome fears that her fitness is unreliable. Since last summer the 23-year-old has missed significant time with separate calf, foot and hamstring problems, and has now suffered another injury just before one of the biggest games of her career. The hamstring issue had made her a significant doubt for the Euros, and she only returned to action on June 29. All other 22 players trained on Saturday here in Zurich. Leah Williamson, who was on crutches after the quarter-final because of an ankle injury, played 85 minutes of the semi-final and is set to captain England on Sunday. England v Spain
Metro
36 minutes ago
- Metro
Emma Hayes urges Sarina Wiegman not to start England semi-final hero vs Spain
Emma Hayes has told Sarina Wiegman to keep England's Euro 2025 semi-final hero Michelle Agyemang on the bench against Spain on Sunday. The Lionesses lock horns with Spain in the Euro 2025 final this weekend, looking for revenge after losing the World Cup final to them two years ago. England are hoping to defend their crown – having won Euro 2022 – but it won't be an easy task against a strong Spanish side packed with talent. Wiegman's side almost crashed out in the last four to Italy before super substitute Agyemang netted a 96th-minute equaliser to force extra-time. Agyemang also came to England's rescue in the quarter-final victory over Sweden, with the Lionesses 2-1 down before she scored late-on to take the game to penalties. The 19-year-old Arsenal forward has now produced three goals in just four England caps – but Hayes is adamant she shouldn't start against Spain. Hayes, manager of the United States (USWNT), the most successful international team in women's football, believes Alessia Russo should start for England in the Euro 2025 final instead of Agyemang. The 48-year-old Englishwoman, known for her incredibly successful spell in charge of Chelsea from 2012 to 2024, told The Guardian: Sarina Wiegman should [not] necessarily change her starting team. 'As good as Michelle's Agyemang's impact has been with her three goals in four caps, it is another jump up to do it from the start. 'There is so much a starting centre-forward has to do other than score goals, including to set the press, and Alessia Russo knows that role inside out. 'I cannot see Sarina changing that, and the strategy of players coming from the bench is working, even if the time for them to make an impact is getting shorter and shorter.' Agyemang's 15.17 touches in the opposition box per 90 minutes is the most of any England player at Euro 2025. But former England striker Rachel Daly and ex-Lionesses goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain have both echoed Hayes' stance. More Trending 'Don't fix what isn't broken,' Daly said on the Daly Brightness podcast. 'People will call out 'start them' but there is so much to be said for people who can come on and make a difference. It's really difficult to do.' Chamberlain, meanwhile, told the BBC: 'I don't think Sarina Wiegman's going to change her team at all. 'England play the game for their substitutes – Alessia Russo and Ella Toone were the ones in the last Euros. This year she's got the same [with Agyemang and Chloe Kelly]. 'She's got her trusted 11. There have been a couple of tweaks but not much, and she knows she has talent to come off the bench and change the game when she needs it.' MORE: Lionesses star Alex Greenwood in relationship with childhood sweetheart who is also ex-Premier League ace MORE: Lionesses star Ella Toone all loved up with fellow footie star – who happens to be a rival MORE: Inside Lionesses teammates Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh's 'romance' on and off pitch
