How England Women could line up for World Cup 2023 opener against Haiti with left-back leading line as STRIKER
ENGLAND kick off their World Cup campaign this weekend with a highly-anticipated match against Haiti.
The Lionesses have their eyes on the prize this summer following last year’s European Championship triumph.
However, Sarina Wiegman has been forced to make some major changes to her squad.
Captain Leah Williamson was ruled out of the tournament in April after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during a Women’s Super League match against Manchester United.
Her Arsenal teammate Beth Mead has also been left out of the squad with the same injury.
And Chelsea midfielder Fran Kirby, who has been a mainstay in the England team since 2015, underwent knee surgery in May, so she will be unavailable for a “significant period” of time.
Wiegman has been handed some severe selection headaches this summer, with several young stars bursting onto the international scene.
Chelsea ace Lauren James, who narrowly missed out on a spot in last summer’s squad, has travelled to Australia along with Manchester City defender Esme Morgan and Brighton winger Katie Robinson.
Established WSL stars Jordan Nobbs, Niamh Charles and Katie Zelem also made the trip.
But with the stakes so high, SunSport have predicted how England will line up ahead of Saturday’s opener against Haiti.
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Millie Bright, who was handed the captain’s armband in the wake of Williamson’s devastating ACL injury, is expected to start in the heart of defence despite her recent ankle injury.
There had been some question marks surrounding the 29-year-old’s involvement, with her injury preventing her from taking part in full training until just last week.
However, she took part in a behind-closed-doors warm-up match against Canada on Friday, indicating that she will be fully fit to start against Haiti.
Bright will likely line up in defence alongside Barcelona right-back Lucy Bronze, her Chelsea teammate Jess Carter and Man City’s Alex Greenwood.
Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway are expected to start in midfield, with Ella Toone filling in for Kirby in a slightly more attacking position.
Lauren Hemp will likely keep her starting position on the left wing, but there are some question marks surrounding who she will line up alongside in attack.
Chelsea forward James could start on the right wing, with former defender Rachel Daly in the No.9 position.
Daly played a crucial role in Wiegman’s European Championship-winning squad last summer, but as a left-back.
Following the tournament, she joined Aston Villa in a permanent transfer from Houston Dash and quickly adapted to become a striker.
The 31-year-old scored 22 goals throughout the 2022-23 WSL campaign and won the Golden Boot, so it would be no surprise to see her leading the line at the World Cup.
While there is some uncertainty surrounding a few positions, one player is expected to start every game unless she is ill or injured.
That player is Manchester United’s Mary Earps, who was named as The Best Women’s Goalkeeper in the World by FIFA earlier this year.
Unlike last summer, Wiegman is not expected to start every game with the same line-up.
Alessia Russo, who joined Arsenal in a shock free transfer at the beginning of the month, could start up front instead of Daly.
Chloe Kelly could also muscle her way into the starting squad amid her impressive run of form, which could mean that James moves into the attacking midfield role.
And Carter could be replaced by in-form Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy or 22-year-old Man City star Morgan.