England make Lauren James decision as Sarina Wiegman gives update on star
Lauren James is in line to make her comeback in England colours against Jamaica on Sunday after missing nearly three months of football with a hamstring injury
England manager Sarina Wiegman has stressed the importance of managing Lauren James ' minutes as the Lionesses star prepares to make her long-awaited comeback. James has been out of action since picking up an injury on international duty in early April, but has been named in Wiegman's squad for this summer's European Championships.
The Chelsea ace is in contention to feature against Jamaica on Sunday as the Lionesses take on the Reggae Girlz in the final match before their Euros defence gets underway on July 5. The 2022 winners have been drawn in a group with France, the Netherlands and Wales for the tournament in Switzerland.
"We have to manage the minutes," Wiegman said ahead of Sunday's match at the King Power Stadium in Leicester. "She's doing really well, but of course she hasn't played games yet. But she's in a good place.
"She will likely come off the bench, we can manage that a bit. She showed up on the training session really well. She could cope with loads and recover from loads. Her performance has been really good.
"She's ready, we're just still growing into minutes. This is the first time in a while that she's coming into a game and [she needs to] get through that. Then we'll take it from there towards the tournament."
James' former club team-mate Jess Carter also spoke about the 23-year-old on Saturday morning. "For me she's a good friend and we all know she is an incredible footballer, but I think the most impressive thing for me is just that she has come back in like a new player," said Carter, who now plays her club football for Gotham FC in the United States.
"Maybe the injury was a bit of a blessing in disguise, in terms of that she just looks so fresh, so sharp, and she really impacts the game and the team. And she is a pain to play against. Good luck to any of the other players having to play against her in the tournament."
The Euros holders face a tough group, but FA chief executive Mark Bullingham insists Wiegman's future is secure whatever happens at the tournament. The England boss followed up her Euros triumph with a run to the 2023 World Cup final, and is under contract until 2027.
"We think she's a fantastic coach and has done a brilliant job for us," Bullingham said on Friday. "We are delighted she's with us until at least 2027. We haven't looked beyond that timescale yet or engaged in those conversations.
"We feel we have us locked into this tournament and the next and that feels very good for us. That's not to say we wouldn't have a conversation at some point in the future but it's too early for that really.'
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