Sarina Wiegman names England squad for Nations League as Lionesses prepare for first games since Women’s World Cup final
SARINA WIEGMAN has named her 24-woman squad for England’s upcoming Nations League fixtures against Scotland and Netherlands.
World Cup stars Bethany England and Keira Walsh have both been left out due to injury.
They have been replaced by Lucy Staniforth, Jess Park and Maya Le Tissier.
The rest of Wiegman’s squad from the Women’s World Cup squad remains unchanged.
Golden Glove winner Mary Earps, as well as Hannah Hampton and Ellie Roebuck remain England’s top goalkeepers.
Millie Bright leads the squad again with Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Esme Morgan and Lotte Wubben-Moy as defensive options.
Midfielders include Laura Coombs, Jordan Nobbs, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone and Katie Zelem.
And Rachel Day, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo and Katie Robinson have been made available in attack.
Discussing her squad selection, Wiegman said: “By the time we play our first game, it will be little more than a month since the World Cup final. We have had little time to reflect on all we have achieved so far this year.
“Instead, we will have to make sure the players are fresh enough and ready to perform straight away, if we want to go far in another competition.
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“We will play a derby match against Scotland and they have shown good development recently and are getting stronger and stronger, while we know all about the Netherlands of course and the very talented players they have.
“It is the first time we have had the Nations League in the women’s game, and it will mean even more competitive matches for us to test ourselves.
“While the time to look back on a special period for us will come at the end of the year, it will be good to see the fans again in Sunderland. We have a great connection with the north-east and I know they will give us tremendous support again.”
The Lionesses face Scotland next week in their first match since the Women’s World Cup final.
Wiegman’s side narrowly missed out on the title following a devastating 1-0 defeat to Spain in Sydney, Australia.
It marked their first-ever competitive defeat under the Dutchwoman.
England have been drawn in Group A1 ahead of the inaugural Women’s Nations League.
That means the Lionesses will face Netherlands and Belgium as well as Scotland in their hunt for another trophy.
Wiegman led Netherlands to a European Championship title in 2017 and the 2019 Women’s World Cup final before taking the England job two years ago.