Leah Williamson Makes a Welcomed Return to the Lionesses' Squad
In a highly anticipated announcement, England manager Sarina Wiegman has revealed the squad for the upcoming friendlies against Austria and Italy in Spain. The biggest news is the return of Leah Williamson, who captained England to European Championship victory in 2022 but suffered a serious ACL injury in April of last year. This injury forced her to miss the Women's World Cup, but she made her triumphant return to the pitch in January during Arsenal's impressive 6-0 win over Reading.
Since then, Williamson has continued to regain her form and fitness, starting matches against West Ham in the Women's Super League and Manchester City in the FA Cup. Now, she is set to don the England jersey once again, marking her first international appearance since the Lionesses' Finalissima triumph in April 2023.
Speaking about Williamson's return, Wiegman expressed her delight, saying, 'Yeah, of course it's really nice, especially for her. She's back and gaining minutes at Arsenal. She's doing well, and it'll be great to see her next week in camp. It's really nice to have her back; she's a very good player. Even though she's been out for months, her decision making is really good, and she's still building.'
Alongside Williamson, the squad sees a minor change as Jess Park takes the place of Katie Zelem. Unfortunately, Millie Bright remains unavailable due to injury, but Wiegman assured that she is progressing well in her rehabilitation.
Surprisingly, despite her exceptional form in recent times with Manchester United, Nikita Parris did not make the cut for this squad. Parris has scored an impressive 15 goals in 16 matches, but Wiegman attributed her exclusion to the intense competition for forward positions. The England manager did, however, acknowledge Parris' skills, particularly in the No. 9 position, and expressed that she is being closely monitored.
The upcoming friendlies against Austria and Italy, which will take place on February 23 and 27 respectively at the Estadio Nuevo Mirador in Algeciras, mark the beginning of England's Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. Wiegman emphasized the importance of these matches in preparing the team for the challenges ahead.
'This camp is where the road to Euro 2025 in Switzerland begins,' Wiegman explained. 'Playing against strong teams like Austria and Italy is just the preparation we need before we kick off our qualifying campaign in April. I am really looking forward to getting back on the grass with the squad.'
The Spain camp provides an excellent opportunity for the team to reconnect after a long break and build their chemistry on and off the pitch. Wiegman highlighted the benefits of traveling away together and praised the ideal setting of Spain with its anticipated good weather and top-notch facilities, which will undoubtedly contribute to the team's preparation for the upcoming year.
With an impressive and talented squad at her disposal, Wiegman is seeking to continue England's success in international women's football. The Lionesses have an exciting journey ahead as they aim to secure their spot in the Euro 2024 tournament and build on their recent achievements. The return of Leah Williamson is sure to bolster the team's defense and provide valuable leadership, while the absence of Nikita Parris will allow other players to showcase their skills and stake their claim for a place on future squads.
As fans eagerly await these friendlies, the Lionesses will be striving to maintain their high standards and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. England's Euro 2024 qualifying campaign is just around the corner, and the team's determination and unity will be crucial as they strive for success in their quest for European glory.
