England boss Sarina Wiegman has told her squad places are still up for grabs in the starting XI for the Lionesses’ Women’s World Cup opener.
The tournament in Australia and New Zealand kicks off in three weeks’ time and England will play their first game against Haiti in Brisbane on July 22.
Before that, the Lionesses have two friendlies. They will face Portugal at Stadium:MK on Saturday and then Canada in a behind-closed-doors game in Australia on July 14.
Wiegman named an unchanged team for every game of last year’s Euros, which England won on home soil, but she has told the squad her starting XI for England’s opener in just over three weeks’ time is not decided.
“Well we are getting closer, that’s clear. You want to get closer,” she said.
“But we are still trying out some things and in some positions I don’t know what the starting line-up will be. There is still competition going on and that’s why we need those two games too.
“But it could also be that it’s not very clear what the starting XI is and the next game we would do another tactical choice and start another player.
“It’s not totally clear but of course we are getting closer.”
England’s squad has changed since last year’s Euro triumph and that has given Wiegman food for thought.
Record goalscorer Ellen White and experienced midfielder Jill Scott have retired, while captain Leah Williamson and playmaker Fran Kirby are injured.
Wiegman insists England are in “a good place”, though, but she would have liked to have more warm-up games.
“I am satisfied with this preparation and, of course, we would have wanted to play a little more games,” said Wiegman.
“But this is the schedule we have and you want to do what’s best for preparation, but also for what fits in the schedule from a physiology point of view.
“So, we are happy with this. These are the facts. We have to travel to the other side of the world too, which we need some time to adapt to, and then we go into the group stage.
“We are ready and I think also our training sessions make us grow away from the game.”
England will be without their captain for the World Cup. Millie Bright, and midfielder Jordan Nobbs for Saturday’s game against Portugal due to injury.
Wiegman will, however, be able to call upon defender Alex Greenwood, who limped out of training on Tuesday after taking a knock to her shin. Midfielder Laura Coombs is also fit despite missing some sessions this week.
