England squad LIVE: Sarina Wiegman reveals Leah Williamson decision ahead of Lionesses friendlies
There is a recall for the Lionesses captain ahead of friendlies against Austria and Italy later this month
Lionesses captain Leah Williamson has returned to the England squad ahead of a pair of international friendlies against Austria and Italy later this month.
The centre-back has not played for England since last April and was forced to miss the World Cup after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament towards the end of last season.
Williamson returned to action for Arsenal two weeks ago and her availability has arrived at a good time for the Lionesses. Williamson replaces the injured Millie Bright as Wiegman named a 23-player squad ahead of the upcoming training camp in the south of Spain.
After missing out on the Nations League finals in dramatic fashion in December, Wiegman’s side will begin their preparations for the start of Euro 2025 qualifying in April.
There was only one more change from the previous squad, with Manchester City midfielder Jess Park replacing Manchester United’s Katie Zelem.
Follow live updates from the Lionesses squad announcement, below
Leah Williamson returns to England squad as Sarina Wiegman reveals plan for Lionesses friendlies
Leah Williamson is back in the England squad for the first time since April last year as Sarina Wiegman said she plans to “experiment” with her team in upcoming friendlies against Austria and Italy later this month.
Arsenal defender Williamson led the Lionesses to Euro 2022 glory as captain but missed last summer’s World Cup after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament nine months ago.
Williamson replaces the injured Millie Bright in one of only two changes from December’s 23-player squad, with Manchester City midfielder Jess Park also coming in for Manchester United’s Katie Zelem.
The Lionesses missed out on the Nations League finals in December so will instead begin their preparations for the start of Euro 2025 qualifying with a trip to the south of Spain and a pair of friendlies against Austria and Italy.
Williamson is expected to return as captain but Wiegman said she will only make a decision after discussing it with her squad - goalkeeper Mary Earps captained the side when both Williamson and Bright were unavailable at the end of last year.
Leah Williamson returns to England squad as Sarina Wiegman plans ‘experiment’
The centre-back has not played for England since last April but is back in the squad ahead of friendlies against Austria and Italy later this month
England squad LIVE: Latest updates
When are England’s fixtures this month?
Friday 23 February: England v Austria, 7.45pm, live on ITV1
Tuesday 27 February: England v Italy, 5pm, live on ITV 4
England squad LIVE: Latest updates
Sarina Wiegman on Leah Williamson’s return:
England squad LIVE: Latest updates
Sarina Wiegman on whether Leah Williamson will return as captain:
“I have to talk to the players first about that. This is a also new moment, we’ll start again, talk about it and have the conversation first with the group.”
England squad LIVE: Latest updates
Sarina Wiegman on whether Millie Bright will be back in April:
“Millie is in rehab. It goes by plan so she’s in a good place but needs more time. Hopefully she is back for April, but let’s see how it goes.”
On Nikita Parris, who scored 15 goals in 16 games for Manchester United, but misses out:
“I had a conversation with her in autumn. I had a conversation with her yesterday. We have many players up front that it’s so competitive and I had to make hard choices. She knows we have to make hard choices.”
England squad LIVE: Latest updates
Sarina Wiegman on Leah Williamson’s return: “It’s really nice, especially for her. She’s back, she’s gaining minutes at Arsenal. They are happy with where she is and it will be nice to see her back next week in camp. She’s a very good player. Even though she’s been out for months, her decision making is really good. The team stepped up [without her] but it’s good to have her back.
“We’ll play two friendlies in warm weather, good conditions. What we can do is experiment. We can try new things and I’m excited to start building to Euro 2025.
“It was devastating in December. We played two incredible games and we played really well, but you can’t control what the opposition do. It was really exciting, but we were disappointed. Now, we have the opportunity to play friendlies. We have to stay on the front foot and keep developing.”
England squad LIVE: Latest updates
We’ll hear from Wiegman shortly but this is a welcome sight for fans of the Lionesses!
England squad LIVE: Latest updates
Sarina Wiegman: “This camp is where the road to Euro 2025 in Switzerland begins. Playing against strong teams like Austria and Italy is just the preparation we need before we kick off our qualifying campaign in April. I am really looking forward to getting back on the grass with the squad.
“It is the first time we will be back together as a group since last year. Travelling away for this camp will give us a great opportunity to connect again on and off the pitch and allow us to give minutes to many players. Being in Spain with hopefully good weather and excellent facilities is the perfect setting for the work we need to do as a team to get us ready for another very important year ahead.”
England squad LIVE: Latest updates
So, just two changes from December’s squad
- Leah Williamson returns to an England squad for the first time in 10 months, replacing the injured Millie Bright
- Jess Park is also back, while Manchester United’s Katie Zelem misses out
England squad LIVE: Latest updates
England squad for February friendlies against Austria and Italy
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City)
Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Tottenham Hotspur, loan from Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Jess Park (Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona)
Forwards: Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies