Lionesses stars Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood are back in the England squad, despite not playing competitive football through the second half of the 2024/25 season.
What happened?
Stanway is one of three Lionesses to have knee surgery this season, with Lauren Hemp doing so in November and Alex Greenwood just a month later. None have played for England since but are back in Sarina Wiegman’s squad for games against Portugal and Spain this month, with Hemp and Greenwood having made their returns to action with Manchester City in recent weeks. Stanway, though, is yet to return from injury, as she has not been able to get back on the pitch for Bayern Munich yet.
Wiegman has made plenty of changes in her recent squad for this summer’s European Championships. Ella Morris, the England youth international full-back, earns her first senior call-up, while Missy Bo Kearns is included with the Lionesses for just a second time. It means that, despite an expanded squad of 27 from 23, Millie Turner, Lucy Parker, Maisie Symonds and Jess Naz did not make the cut, with Lauren James also still absent due to injury.
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What did Wiegman say?
“We have reflected upon two different performances against Belgium in April and although there were positives to take, there is more we want and need to improve on,” Wiegman said.
“We have the possibility of seeing 27 players in our environment and that’s a real positive. It will give us more good information to make important decisions in the near future.
“Also naming the squad 12 days before the window begins gives all the players clarity as the season ends for some and carries on for others. The hard work continues from the moment we arrive at St. George’s Park on Monday 26 May.”
More injury concern for England
Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo both had to withdraw from April’s England squad due to injuries but will feature in the Lionesses’ final two fixtures of the Nations League group stage. Michelle Agyemang, who was called up following Russo’s withdrawal, keeps her place after scoring 41 seconds into her debut in the team’s last game.
A win and a loss against Belgium was a big hit for Wiegman’s side but they remain in a strong position to qualify for the Nations League finals. Wins over Portugal and Spain in the coming weeks will secure their spot.
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Lionesses squad in full
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (PSG), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride)
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Ella Morris (Tottenham), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Manchester United), Missy Bo Kearns (Aston Villa), Fran Kirby (Brighton), Jess Park (Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Chelsea)
Forwards: Michelle Agyemang (Brighton, on loan from Arsenal), Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Chloe Kelly (Arsenal, loan from Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Brighton & Hove Albion), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
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