England defender Lotte Wubben-Moy has been forced to withdraw from the Lionesses squad ahead their final game of 2022 against Norway.
The European champions are back in action in Murcia, Spain on Tuesday evening to take on a team they trounced 8-0 during the Euros last summer, five days on from a 4-0 win over Japan. But they will have to do it without the Arsenal centre-half who misses out due to a muscle strain.
An England statement said: “Lotte Wubben-Moy will miss tonight’s fixture against Norway as a precaution with a minor muscle injury. The Arsenal defender has this morning returned to her club for treatment.”
It is currently unclear whether the injury will keep her out of Arsenal's looming WSL clash with Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening. But either way, it is a blow for the 23-year-old who would have been hoping to impress manager Sarina Wiegman after remaining an unused substitute against Japan.
The news further reduces the pool of defenders available to Wiegman who is already missing skipper Leah Williamson and saw Lucy Bronze pull out of the squad at the weekend. Wubben-Moy's Arsenal teammate Beth Mead also withdrew at the weekend due to 'family circumstances'.
It means the England manager could now be more likely to name the same back four that started the win over Japan last week. That saw Chelsea 's Niamh Charles given an opportunity at left-back, with Rachel Daly moved to right-back.
Daly then scored the opener in the 4-0 success, while Millie Bright and Esme Morgan looked solid at centre-half as the Lionesses kept their fourth clean sheet in five games since winning the Euros in July.
Wubben-Moy had been performing well for her club Arsenal in recent weeks, with the Gunners unbeaten and sitting top of the WSL. However, she remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes against Japan on Friday evening, with Wiegman choosing to use her substitutes further up the pitch.
The news may improve Maya Le Tissier's chances of making her England debut. The Manchester United centre-back was called up to the national senior side for the first time for the double header in Murcia, although like Wubben-Moy, she remained an unused substitute in the 4-0 win over Japan.
Alex Greenwood could also return to the team if Wiegman elects to rotate her defence. The Manchester City defender missed the Japan clash with what was described by the FA as a minor injury but remained in Spain, with staff clearly hopeful she could play some part against Norway.
The Lionesses are bidding to complete an unbeaten calendar year against Norway. They are also yet to taste defeat since Wiegman took charge - a run now stretching to 25 games. Defence has been a key pillar of England's success since Wiegman came in, only conceding six goals during her reign to date.
You can catch England’s clash with Norway live on Tuesday night on ITV4, with kick-off at 7pm with coverage underway at 6:15pm GMT.
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