Exciting new prospects join Sarina Wiegman's squad for Nations League fixtures

England boss Sarina Weigman has included two young talents in her 25-player squad to face Belgium in the Nations League double header this month. Fran Kirby and Keira Walsh also return from injury but it is still too early for Beth Mead to be recalled.

Wiegman has dropped four players from last month's squad in place of two new exciting prospects and four players returning to the fold in her 25-player squad. Mead hasn't made the cut after returning to the pitch for Arsenal at the weekend after 11 months out injured.

Speaking about introducing fresh talent to the fold, the boss said: "The squad is about performing and what you want to do is pick the best players of the country and hopefully to have a contribution to the performances.

"It's nice to have a good balance. But at the end, the age doesn't count that much in the moment because we have two very important games against Belgium and that's for qualification for the Olympics and it's also of course, for winning the nation's League, or at least when the group in the nation's League. So you find the balance in that and it's about performances."

Youngster Katie Robinson was the only forward player not to retain a place. Lotte Wubben-Moy also returns after an injury ruled her out of the previous camp. Lucy Parker keeps her spot.

First call-ups for Keating & Clinton

After taking over as Machester City's starting goalkeeper, Khiara Keating has earned her first call up. The 19-year-old shot stopper has kept two clean sheets so far this season and has replaced Lioness Ellie Roebuck as City manager Gareth Taylor's first choice.

Manchester United's Grace Clinton has begun to shine after moving on loan to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer. The 20-year-old scored a wonder strike against Brighton on the weekend to secure victory for Spurs and netted impressive goals in pre-season and so far in the WSL.

Both players have been regular parts of young Lionesses squads and have worked their way through the age groups to reach the seniors.

Speaking of the pair, Wiegman said: "We've seen them in the U23s last year. So we know how the development goes and then now at the highest level [WSL], they show performances, so it's good to bring them in and see how do they relate to the other place in the squad. And that's exciting for them.

"For both Khiara of course at Man City and Grace at Tottenham, I think they show good performance. And what I want to see from them is coming into camp, see how they relate to the other players in the squad and show what they can do."

Roebuck & Hampton included despite lacking minutes

The aforementioned Keating joins the goalkeeping fold for the first time in place of Sandy MacIver and Emily Ramsey, who were both previously in contention.

City teammate Roebuck, England's number one Mary Earps and Chelsea's Hannah Hampton make up the remaining goalkeeper spots. Yet whilst Earps has had three starts in three WSL games, both Roebuck and Hampton are yet to register minutes. Roebuck was also missing from City's matchday squad against Chelsea with manager Taylor commenting that the competition was high and she simply was not picked.

"Both of them have built a little bit credit with us, because they've been with our team for a long period of time," Wiegman said of her choice to include the pair. "They've done well in training sessions, they've shown up all the time, I think they still are with the best goalkeepers of the country.

"I just hope in the future to do get minutes. So that makes it a little bit complicated. But yes, I did pick them because I still think they're the best of the country."

Midfield maestro Kirby returns after eight months

Fran Kirby suffered a knee injury last season that prematurely ended her campaign and forced her to miss the World Cup. But the Chelsea midfielder earned her first start in the Blues' 2-0 win over West Ham after registering minutes in their two previous WSL games and pre-season friendlies. She returns to the England fold for the first time in eight months.

"It's very nice that she's back on the pitch, and she's fit and healthy," Wiegman said.

"She played really well, I'm happy for her in the first place. And she did well with Chelsea when she came on the pitch. I think she has been building up to those moments also during the summer. And she showed enough quality and performance that I think it's good that she comes back into the team."

Wiegman has opted to revamp her midfield this time around. It was dangerously thin during the World Cup without Kirby - who started every game at Euro 2022. This was made significantly apparent after an injury to Walsh midway through the tournament. Last month, Wiegman insisted that it was too early for Kirby but now has brought her back into the fold.

"She was really happy when I called her and she's just ready to go," the boss added. "I think you never know how much you miss someone who's not there. And you just continue with the players who are available," she said, speaking on the significance of Kirby's absence.

Katie Zelem, Ella Toone and Georgia Stanway all retained their spots. Kirby, along with Walsh and Clinton come into midfield in place of Nobbs, Staniforth and Coombs who all miss out.

Speaking on their exclusion, Weigman added: "that has to do with competition on their positions. They have had a contribution but I picked some other players."

It is still too early for Mead

Beth Mead made her long-awaited return in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium after an ACL injury 11 months ago. Getting 15 minutes and significantly lifting the Gunners to assist the winning goal, Mead said she was ready to be considered for an England spot again.

But Wiegman believes it is still too soon for the Euro 2022 top scorer to return to the international stage.

"To be honest, she was not close," the England boss revealed. "She's in a good place now. She had her first minutes, which was very nice to see. And she was really happy, the crowd was very happy. So gave a lot of energy to but I think she first has to build at club, show performance at club and get that consistency back."

Wiegman was in the stands at the Emirates to watch Mead's return in person. However, the England manager continued that if she continues to perform well with Arsenal that the 28-year-old will be in contention for selection in the future.

"Now she has to get consistency that has to do with her performance. But it also has to do with build, and of course getting fitter and stay stay healthy," Wiegman added.

Heartbreak for George

Gabby George was working her way back into England contention and was on the fringes of another call-up. She was inclided at a camp last season and missed out on a place at the World Cup.

Moving to Manchester United in the summer, the full-back had been looking sharp and a possible return to an England squad seemed to be on the cards. But tragedy struck when suffered an ACL injury during United’s 1-1 draw with Leicester, ruling her out of the rest of the season. 

Without confirming if George was on the cusp of a recall, Wiegman said: "I don't think that's that's something to talk about now. I think it's just so horrible for her that she gets injured. So I just feel very, very sorry for her."

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