Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood return to England squad, Lauren James misses out
Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood have returned to the England squad for the Nations League fixtures against Portugal and Spain, but Lauren James misses out through injury.
Sarina Wiegman has selected a 27-player squad for the two games in May and June, which are the Lionesses' final fixtures before the England head coach names her squad for the 2025 European Championship this summer.
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Tottenham Hotspur defender Ella Morris, 22, has received her maiden senior call up, and Arsenal forward Michelle Agyemang, who spent the season on loan at Brighton and Hove Albion, keeps her place after the 19-year-old marked her senior debut with a goal inside 41 seconds during April's international window.
There is a recall for uncapped Aston Villa midfielder Missy Bo Kearns but Aston Villa defender Lucy Parker, Manchester United centre-back Millie Turner and Brighton midfielder Maisie Symonds drop out from last month's camp. Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy also misses out after making her return from injury at the end of April.
Bayern Munich midfielder Stanway has been out since January after tearing her lateral collateral ligament in her knee, leaving her with a race to be fit for Euro 2025. The 26-year-old, a key part of England's Euro 2022 triumph and run to the 2023 World Cup final, underwent surgery and has not played a competitive match since December.
Manchester City winger Hemp and defender Greenwood return to the squad for the first time since undergoing knee surgeries in November and December respectively. Hemp was sidelined for five months and Greenwood four, before both returned to action at the end of April and featured in City's final three matches of the season.
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James, however, is absent after missing Chelsea's final seven matches of the season with a hamstring injury. The 23-year-old was withdrawn at half time during England's win over Belgium in April and subsequently withdrew from the squad. No timeframe has been given yet for her return.
England play Portugal at Wembley on May 30 before their final Nations League group stage fixture against Spain at Espanyol's RCDE Stadium on June 3.
The Lionesses are second in Nations League Group A3, two points behind leaders Spain and three points clear of Portugal in third. Finishing top will ensure progression to the competition's semi-finals, while a top-two finish guarantees a place League A for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers and a more straightforward qualification route.
'Three pillars of England's squad return'
The return of Greenwood, Stanway and Hemp from injury is a massive boost and cannot be underestimated. They are three pillars to Wiegman's squad in terms of their tactical, technical and physical qualities but also their leadership and professionalism off the pitch which will drive the squad's standards.
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The absence of Lauren James following her hamstring injury from the last international break is concerning while Agyemang's retention is a clear sign of how much she impressed following her stunning goal against Belgium.
Morris' first call-up, as defenders Lucy Parker and Millie Turner drop out, and Bo Kearns' return, in place of Symonds, as well as the fact that Wiegman has picked a 27-player squad are all indications Wiegman is keeping her options open. This international window is the last opportunity for players to secure their place on the plane to Switzerland.
England squad in full
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Paris Saint-Germain), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride)
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Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham FC), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Ella Morris (Tottenham Hotspur), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Manchester United), Missy Bo Kearns (Aston Villa), Fran Kirby (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jess Park (Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Chelsea)
Forwards: Michelle Agyemang (Brighton & Hove Albion, on loan from Arsenal) Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Chloe Kelly (Arsenal), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Brighton & Hove Albion), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
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