Mon. Dec 23rd, 2024
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Leah Williamson in April
Leah Williamson missed the 2023 Women’s World Cup after suffering an ACL injury

Leah Williamson is in the England squad for Euro 2025 qualifiers against Sweden and the Republic of Ireland and could earn a first cap since last April.

She was called up by England for friendlies against Austria and Italy in February but withdrew through injury.

Defender Millie Turner is also included after replacing Williamson in February.

Williamson, who captained England to Euro 2022 glory but has not featured for her country since a 2-0 defeat by Australia on 11 April 2023, has started the last three games for Arsenal, including Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Aston Villa.

England face Sweden at Wembley on Friday, 5 April and the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Tuesday, 9 April.

As well as Sweden and the Republic, England will face France in their League A qualifying group, with the top two automatically progressing and the other two sides entering the play-offs.

Qualifiers take place from April to July, with the tournament scheduled for July 2025 in Switzerland.

There is no place in the squad for injured Chelsea centre-back Millie Bright, who captained England at the Women’s World Cup last year in Williamson’s absence.

The 30-year-old has not featured for Chelsea in 2024 after a knee injury kept her out of the Lionesses’ Uefa Nations League matches in November.

Manchester United’s Turner is included instead of team-mate Maya Le Tissier, while midfielder Grace Clinton, on loan from United at Tottenham, keeps her place having scored on her debut against Austria last month.

Among those to miss out are Manchester United’s leading scorer Nikita Parris and Chelsea forward Aggie Beever-Jones, who was called up to the senior England squad for the friendly win over Italy having impressed with the under-23s.

Parris, who has 71 caps, has netted eight goals in 16 appearances for United this season and she told BBC Sport last week it would “always be an ambition of mine until I retire” to return to the England squad.

England squad

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), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Millie Turner (Manchester United), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Tottenham, on 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)

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