Lauren James in line to make return from injury for England against Jamaica
The Chelsea forward, 23, has been unable to feature for club or country since limping off midway through the Lionesses' 5-0 Nations League win against Belgium nearly three months ago.
James returned to training last week and boss Sarina Wiegman says the England star could feature in Sunday's final warm-up friendly against Jamaica at Leicester's King Power Stadium.
'We have to manage the minutes,' the Lionesses head coach said. 'She's doing really well, but of course she hasn't played games yet. But she's in a good place.
😁 LJ pic.twitter.com/SsO0rb2ebq
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 26, 2025
'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 sparkled during England's run to the World Cup final in Australia two years ago and team-mate Jess Carter says it is 'really exciting' for her to be back.
'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,' the defender said.
'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.'
England kick-off their Euros title defence against France in Zurich next Saturday, before Group D continues with clashes against the Netherlands and Wales.
Squad selfie 🤳 ✅ pic.twitter.com/nq0IRMxZX0
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 27, 2025
It is a tough-looking pool, but Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham has said that Wiegman will stay regardless of the outcome in Switzerland.
'We've had conversations and, of course, I extended my contract until 2027, after the World Cup,' said the Lionesses boss, who has led England to Euros glory and a World Cup final in her two tournaments at the helm.
'We're going into a new tournament now and I feel very happy here. I'm excited to go into a new tournament.
'I'm not looking too much ahead – the contract is until 2027 and I've always felt so much support from Mark and the board and I still feel that way. And it's really nice that he confirms that.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
27 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Chelsea book Club World Cup quarter-final spot after long weather delay
The Blues were just four minutes away from victory in normal time in Charlotte after a stunning Reece James free-kick when a thunderstorm forced the players off the field. After a stoppage of almost two hours, Angel Di Maria equalised from the penalty spot but Chelsea roused themselves in extra-time after the Portuguese giants had Gianluca Prestianni sent off. Christopher Nkunku struck from close range in the 108th minute before further goals from Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall wrapped up a deserved triumph, four hours and 38 minutes after kick-off at the Bank of America Stadium. And breathe. Up the Chels!!! 💙 — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 29, 2025 Enzo Maresca's side will face Palmeiras in the last eight in Philadelphia on Friday after their defeat of Brazilian rivals Botafogo earlier on Saturday. Influential midfielder Moises Caicedo will not be available after he was booked in the second half in North Carolina. Chelsea dominated the majority of the game, but failed to make the most of a succession of chances in the first half. Marc Cucurella curled a shot around goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin but Antonio Silva reacted quickly to head off the line. Trubin then tipped an effort round the post from Cole Palmer before smothering another attempt from Cucurella. Players walk off the field for a weather delay during the Club World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Benfica and Chelsea in Charlotte, North Carolina (Chris Carlson/AP) A rare attack from Benfica was thwarted when James blocked an Andreas Schjelderup shot but Palmer was similarly frustrated by the impressive Silva at the other end. Chelsea carried their momentum into the second half but a Palmer cross was deflected away from goal by Nicolas Otamendi and Caicedo drove wide. Chelsea finally got the reward their superiority deserved as James chanced his arm from a set-piece on 64 minutes. The Blues skipper appeared to be lining up to cross from wide on the left but instead whipped a curling right-foot shot over the two-man wall and inside the near post. Benfica tried to respond and Evangelos Pavlidis appealed for a penalty after a tussle with Benoit Badiashile but nothing was given. Liam Delap put the ball in the net for Chelsea but was flagged offside. The game had largely been played in sweltering heat, but as a storm neared in the closing minutes, play was suspended. Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku scores his side's second goal (Nell Redmond/AP) It became the latest of a series of games in the tournament to be paused due to the weather. The players were pictured during the enforced break kicking a ball and exercising in the dressing room. The stoppage worked to Benfica's benefit as they won a penalty when Otamendi's nod down brushed the arm of Malo Gusto and was harshly ruled as a penalty. Di Maria made no mistake from the spot – his fourth successful penalty of the tournament – to force extra-time. Benfica were reduced to 10 men when Prestianni received a second booking for a foul on Levi Colwill. Chelsea took control and went close when Palmer had a shot saved by Trubin, but Sanchez needed to be alert to deny Di Maria moments later. Nkunku broke through when he struck at the second attempt after an initial effort was blocked by Otamendi and Neto and Dewsbury-Hall added gloss to the scoreline.
The Independent
31 minutes ago
- The Independent
Enzo Maresca ‘very proud' as Chelsea book last-eight berth
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was proud of his team after beating Benfica in extraordinary, weather-hit circumstances to reach the Club World Cup quarter-finals. The Blues eventually ran out 4-1 winners after extra-time in a last-16 tie in Charlotte which was suspended for almost two hours due to a thunderstorm. Chelsea had been just four minutes away from victory following Reece James's stunning free-kick when the players were taken off the field at the Bank of America Stadium. Benfica benefited from the break and forced extra-time with a controversial Angel Di Maria penalty after play finally resumed. The game swung back in Chelsea's favour after the Portuguese giants had Gianluca Prestianni sent off and Christopher Nkunku gave them a decisive lead. Breakaway goals from Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall wrapped up the win. Maresca told DAZN: 'I'm very proud. The performance for me was top until the last five minutes when they stopped the game, and when we restarted (it was) a completely a different game. 'When you are inside for more than one hour it's not easy but, 1-1, we continued to play and, at the end, I think the reward was one that we deserve.' The players were pictured riding exercise bikes and kicking balls in the dressing room during the enforced break. Maresca said: 'Especially when it's 85 minutes, five minutes to go, it's very difficult. 'But we tried to keep them in the best way we could in that moment and, at the end, we are in the last eight teams here in this competition and we are very happy.' Chelsea will return to Philadelphia, where they played two group games, to face Brazilian side Palmeiras in the quarter-finals on Friday. 'Now we need to recover players, recover the energy and go again,' said Maresca. Moises Caicedo delivered an influential performance but will miss the next game after being booked for a second time in the tournament. Caicedo said of the team's prospects: 'We believe. We know this a tough tournament but, the thing is, we're working hard and doing well. At the end, we're going to see why we (are still) here.' Reflecting on the weather delay, the Ecuadorian said: 'We were talking in the dressing room. The thing was (to stay) focused the whole game. I'm so happy because we did it.'
The Herald Scotland
36 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Chelsea book Club World Cup quarter-final spot after long weather delay
After a stoppage of almost two hours, Angel Di Maria equalised from the penalty spot but Chelsea roused themselves in extra-time after the Portuguese giants had Gianluca Prestianni sent off. Christopher Nkunku struck from close range in the 108th minute before further goals from Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall wrapped up a deserved triumph, four hours and 38 minutes after kick-off at the Bank of America Stadium. And breathe. Up the Chels!!! 💙 — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 29, 2025 Enzo Maresca's side will face Palmeiras in the last eight in Philadelphia on Friday after their defeat of Brazilian rivals Botafogo earlier on Saturday. Influential midfielder Moises Caicedo will not be available after he was booked in the second half in North Carolina. Chelsea dominated the majority of the game, but failed to make the most of a succession of chances in the first half. Marc Cucurella curled a shot around goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin but Antonio Silva reacted quickly to head off the line. Trubin then tipped an effort round the post from Cole Palmer before smothering another attempt from Cucurella. Players walk off the field for a weather delay during the Club World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Benfica and Chelsea in Charlotte, North Carolina (Chris Carlson/AP) A rare attack from Benfica was thwarted when James blocked an Andreas Schjelderup shot but Palmer was similarly frustrated by the impressive Silva at the other end. Chelsea carried their momentum into the second half but a Palmer cross was deflected away from goal by Nicolas Otamendi and Caicedo drove wide. Chelsea finally got the reward their superiority deserved as James chanced his arm from a set-piece on 64 minutes. The Blues skipper appeared to be lining up to cross from wide on the left but instead whipped a curling right-foot shot over the two-man wall and inside the near post. Benfica tried to respond and Evangelos Pavlidis appealed for a penalty after a tussle with Benoit Badiashile but nothing was given. Liam Delap put the ball in the net for Chelsea but was flagged offside. The game had largely been played in sweltering heat, but as a storm neared in the closing minutes, play was suspended. Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku scores his side's second goal (Nell Redmond/AP) It became the latest of a series of games in the tournament to be paused due to the weather. The players were pictured during the enforced break kicking a ball and exercising in the dressing room. The stoppage worked to Benfica's benefit as they won a penalty when Otamendi's nod down brushed the arm of Malo Gusto and was harshly ruled as a penalty. Di Maria made no mistake from the spot – his fourth successful penalty of the tournament – to force extra-time. Benfica were reduced to 10 men when Prestianni received a second booking for a foul on Levi Colwill. Chelsea took control and went close when Palmer had a shot saved by Trubin, but Sanchez needed to be alert to deny Di Maria moments later. Nkunku broke through when he struck at the second attempt after an initial effort was blocked by Otamendi and Neto and Dewsbury-Hall added gloss to the scoreline.
