Lauren Hemp, Lauren James and Ella Toone are among five key absentees in the Lionesses' squad as England prepare to face Emma Hayes' United States.
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Lionesses finish 2024 against U.S. and SwitzerlandBut will be without some key names due to injuryAbsences mean Wiegman calls upon new facesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
All three have injuries that rule them out of England's final two games of the year – and they are not the only ones. Sarina Wiegman is also still unable to call upon Chelsea's Niamh Charles for the upcoming international break, leaving her to once again ponder the lack of options at left-back, while Lucy Parker, called up in October, is the fifth injury absence ahead of games with the U.S. and Switzerland.
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As a result, Wiegman has called up two new faces, in the midfield pair of Laura Blindkilde Brown and Ruby Mace. Both are familiar to the coach from the youth teams and will now get their chance to show what they can do with the seniors. Gabby George, meanwhile, is back for the first time since November 2022 and could well be a solution for the Lionesses in that troublesome left-back role.
LIONESSES SQUAD IN FULL
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (PSG), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride)
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham FC), Gabby George (Man Utd), Alex Greenwood (Man City), Maya Le Tissier (Man Utd), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Millie Turner (Man Utd), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Man City), Grace Clinton (Man Utd), Fran Kirby (Brighton), Ruby Mace (Leicester City), Jess Park (Man City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Keira Walsh (Barcelona)
Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Man City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Jess Naz (Tottenham), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
WHAT WIEGMAN SAID
"This is an important international window for us to continue our work to be ready for next summer’s Euros," Wiegman said. "Every minute of these two games and every moment spent together at St. George’s Park is to make sure we’re where we need to be when the tournament begins on July 2.
"As we continue our preparations we want to test ourselves against the very best and that’s why we have carefully selected the USA and Switzerland. They are two opponents who will challenge us in different ways this window and that’s exactly what we want.
"The USA need no introductions and to play them at Wembley Stadium in front of a packed home crowd again is going to be very special. Under Emma they’ve reached a really top level. Switzerland are improving all the time and their impressive victory against France last month shows what they are capable of and how much they continue to grow and develop."
