England's women's national football team, known as the Lionesses, are facing a setback as their captain, Leah Williamson, has been forced to withdraw from the squad for the upcoming March friendlies due to a hamstring injury. The 26-year-old defender was looking forward to making her return to international action after recovering from an ACL injury last year, but a new muscle injury has sidelined her once again. The fresh setback saw Williamson miss Arsenal's recent victory over Manchester United.
In Williamson's absence, Manchester United defender Millie Turner has been called up to the squad as her replacement. Turner, aged 23, was included in the final England squad in 2023 but has yet to make her debut for the national team. This opportunity could be her chance to showcase her skills on the international stage.
Leah Williamson, who led England to victory at the European Championship in 2022, had a promising start to her comeback, featuring in several matches for Arsenal earlier this year. Her absence from the upcoming friendlies is a disappointment for both her and the team, as she was set to make her return to the national side after an extended absence due to injury.
The Lionesses, under the guidance of manager Sarina Wiegman, are scheduled to play two friendlies at the Estadio Nuevo Mirador in Algeciras, Spain. The first match will be against Austria on February 23, followed by a clash with Italy on February 27. These games will serve as important preparation for the team ahead of upcoming tournaments and qualifiers.
Despite the setback with Leah Williamson's injury, the Lionesses will look to regroup and make the most of the friendly matches to further develop their squad under challenging circumstances. The team will aim to continue their progress and build cohesion as they prepare for future competitions on the international stage.
