The Chelsea midfielder Fran Kirby has returned to the England squad for the two Women’s Nations League matches against Belgium after recovering from injury.
The 30-year-old had knee surgery in May and missed the World Cup but she started her first game for Chelsea in eight months on Saturday, impressing in a victory against West Ham. Keira Walsh is also back in the squad after an injury layoff.
The Arsenal forward Beth Mead misses out despite on Sunday making her first appearance for her club since she sustained a knee injury last November, coming off the bench and setting up the winner in a 2-1 victory against Aston Villa.
Sarina Wiegman said Mead was “not close” and “has to get that consistency back” in order for her to be considered after a lengthy absence. “She has had an injury for nine months,” the England head coach said. “She comes out of recovery, now building training sessions and playing minutes and was on the pitch for about 15 minutes [at the weekend] … consistency means performance but she also has to build and of course get fitter and stay healthy.”
There were two new call-ups for the senior squad: the midfielder Grace Clinton and the goalkeeper Khiara Keating. The pair make the step up from the England Under-23 squad after their impressive starts to the Women’s Super League season.
“Yes, [their development] goes fast but they have shown good performances,” Wiegman said. “I want to see how they relate to the other players in the squad and for them to show what they can do. They have performed really well. We saw them also in the U23s. Now at the highest level they have shown performances. It’s exciting for them and good to see for us, too.”
Tottenham’s Clinton, on loan from Manchester United, scored a stunning goal in the 3-1 win at Brighton on Sunday, while the Manchester City goalkeeper Keating has taken the No 1 spot from her Lionesses teammate Ellie Roebuck this season.
Goalkeepers Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), Khiara Keating (Manchester City).
Defenders Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Lucy Parker (Aston Villa), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal).
Midfielders Grace Clinton (Tottenham, on loan from Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Katie Zelem (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona).
Forwards Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Alessia Russo (Arsenal), Jess Park (Manchester City).
England face Belgium on Friday 27 October at Leicester before travelling to Leuven to face the Red Flames again four days later. They will be keen to pick up six points after losing their last game, against the Netherlands. “The group is wide open, so every game is crucial,” Wiegman said.
“The squad have shown their ability to respond to setbacks and I’m sure this will be no different. We look forward to meeting up at St George’s Park and putting in the time to make sure we’re fully prepared and ready to go twice in quick succession.
“Again we feel very fortunate to be playing in front of a sellout crowd. The support we are receiving from all corners of the country is amazing, it isn’t something we’ll ever take for granted and it really gives us that extra lift. Hopefully we can give them another night to remember.”
