England ‘optimistic' Leah Williamson will be available for Euros semi-final against Italy
Williamson was forced off at half-time of extra-time in their dramatic penalty shootout win over Sweden after rolling her ankle.
After the quarter-final win, head coach Sarina Wiegman said Williamson would be assessed on Friday. 'I don't know what it is right now,' she said. 'She couldn't stay on the pitch so we had to take her off.'
But fellow centre-back Esme Morgan has assuaged any concerns.
'We're very optimistic that Leah will be available,' said Morgan. 'She seemed in very high spirits this morning.'
The Lionesses will be encouraged by renewed confidence in Williamson's fitness. The backline has looked vulnerable and following Jess Carter's shaky performance against Sweden, Wiegman needs some continuity at centre-back.
Morgan of Washington Spirit impressed when she replaced Carter in the backline in the 70th minute. Wiegman has to choose if she sticks with Carter and Williamson at centre-back, returns to Williamson and Alex Greenwood or puts in Morgan alongside Williamson and keeps Greenwood at left-back.
'I want what's best for the team, and that's absolutely having our captain on the pitch for us,' said Morgan when asked about potentially starting.
'For me it is the same as every single game — be prepared to play if I'm needed, know the role, just be absolutely ready and train at a high level over the next few days. But we're very optimistic that Leah will be fine.'
The Lionesses will play their fifth consecutive major tournament semi-final on Tuesday, the most of any European nation.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
England, International Football, Women's Soccer, Women's Euros
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