Changes made as Sarina Wiegman names first England squad since World Cup

Keira Walsh and Bethany England have been left out of Sarina Wiegman's latest 24-player Lionesses squad due to injury, with Maya Le Tissier, Lucy Staniforth and Jess Park recalled as the inaugural UEFA Nations League campaigns begins at the end of the month.

It has been less than a month since England fell agonisingly short at the World Cup, losing 1-0 in the final against Spain. Now, the players return to camp so soon for the next competition.

Straight back to action

As many as 21 of the 23 players who went to the World Cup have stayed in the squad. They have had a short break, but many returned to pre-season last week in preparation for the beginning of the WSL. However, before clubs can kick off their 20323/24 campaign, England come together to start their Nations League campaign, which doubles as qualifying for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Speaking on the tight window which prompted the decision-making in her squad ahead of the Nations League campaign, Sarina Weigman said, "Yes, I am very worried. I was worried before the World Cup, and we knew it was a short turnaround. The game is growing, which is really good, but it has to grow together, and players need some rest, too."

Lotte Wubben-Moy and Alessia Russo returned to Arsenal training ahead of the Champions League qualifying less than a week after the World Cup. "Next week they come in, and some players only had six days off, which after such a high-pressure competition is not good for them," Wiegman said.

“We have major tournaments in the summer all the time. The urgency to solve it and make it better is really high. We first have to see how they are physically and get them fresh. That's going to be a challenge.”

The Nations League format is a new introduction to the women’s game. England, being drawn in Group D with Belgium, the Netherlands and Scotland, need to win their group and then win a semi-final against one of the other group winners to earn qualification for the summer Olympics.

With the campaign just around the corner, Sarina Wiegman has named a 24-player squad, making five changes from her 23-player World Cup squad.

Walsh & England injured

Keira Walsh has been omitted through a small-calf injury, Wiegman confirmed. The star midfielder sustained a knee injury during the World Cup and was not pictured during Barcelona training earlier this week. However, the injuries are unrelated.

"It's just too short to come into camp," the England boss said. "It's not a major thing, but she's not ready to play. It has nothing to do with that [World Cup injury]."

Tottenham striker Bethany England is also unavailable following a hip surgery last week. She is expected to remain on the sidelines for a few months, likely missing the Nations League group stage.

Le Tissier, Staniforth & Park return

Looking to bolster the midfield, Lucy Staniforth and Jess Park have been recalled to the side to add depth to a struggling midfield alongside the five remaining World Cup midfielders.

Park, who plays for Manchester City, narrowly missed out on a chance to play at her first World Cup, sustaining a re-injury to her shoulder just before the team left for Australia. Now back in pre-season and fit to return, she comes into the side with the ability to play up-front and in midfield.

Maya Le Tissier also missed out on being named within the 23-player squad that headed to the World Cup, taking a place on the standby list up until the first game Down Under. Now, with a new tournament ahead of the team, the Manchesyer United defender returns to the fold to add depth to the backline, playing as both a centre-back and right-back.

Le Tissier will likely take on a right back role despite playing as a centre-back for her club all throughout last season. Staniforth had also been on the standby list.

Wiegman said of the pair, "They did really well. They have been great team players and performed really well on the pitch too, so we knew if anything happened to the squad, they could step in."

Kirby & Mead not ready

Other omissions include Fran Kirby, who missed out on a place at the World Cup after suffering a knee injury in the spring that rendered her unable to finish the club season with Chelsea. Returning to the pitch for the Blues in a friendly against Roma, she earned valuable minutes. However, it is too early for the talented midfielder to return to the England fold, says Wiegman.

Beth Mead, the Euro 2022 player of the tournament is finally back in the Arsenal squad after suffering an ACL injury last November that ruled her out of the remaining 2022/23 season and the World Cup. Despite being named on the subs bench for Arsenal's Champions League qualifiers against Linkoping and Paris FC, Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall said she was unavailable for selection, prompting Wiegman's reasoning for her omission from the squad.

Mead spoke out ahead of England's Nations League campaign, stating she wanted some game time ahead of the first two group stage games against Scotland and the Netherlands. But, in remaining as an unused substitute for Arsenal, she lost the opportunity to feature in those opening two games.

“[Beth Mead] needs to take the next step to get games and get consistency. Fran [Kirby] is really close. She played some friendlies already and did well. Again, it is a little too early. I am very looking forward to seeing them play," Wiegman said.

"That's really disappointing because they're ready to go, they've been up for a long time. They're not going to be ready but, in their mind, they're ready to go but they just needs a little more patience.”

Yet with their returns to the pitch at club level imminent, Mead and Kirby could be likely inclusions for the next set of games - back-to-back against Belgium - in October.

England 24-player squad - September 2023

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

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