Sarina Wiegman has named a provisional 28-woman England squad for 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro.
Wiegman has retained her goalkeeping trio of Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton and Ellie Roebuck, whilst also adding Everton’s Sandy Mclver back into the squad for the first time since November 2021.
In defence, Alex Greenwood and Lotte Wubben-Mooy have returned in defence after injury forced both players to withdraw from last month’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers, which saw Gabby George handed a replacement call-up.
George however has been snubbed for the provisional squad as Steph Houghton receives a surprise recall for the first time since September 2021, after the former captain endured an injury-hit season at Manchester City.
Niamh Charles and Bethany England meanwhile return in defence and forward selections respectively, after they missed last month’s fixtures following positive Coronavirus tests.
In midfield, Jordan Nobbs misses out after suffering a knee injury earlier this month on club duty for Arsenal in their home win over Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League.
Fran Kirby and Lucy Staniforth have consequently been recalled for the first time since February 2022 and October 2021 respectively, whilst Leah Williamson and Ella Toone have been moved from defence and forward selections into the midfield selection.
Up front, Chloe Kelly returns to the Lionesses squad for the first time since April 2021 following her recovery from a serious knee injury.
Wiegman has meanwhile named Millie Bright and Ellen White and vice-captains to Williamson who has retained captaincy, amidst Houghton’s return to the squad.
Speaking about her decision to name a consistent squad as seen in recent international windows, Wiegman explained: “We have a settled squad and I know we have players in our team that will give everything to make it a summer to remember.”
The 28-woman squad will undergo an initial preparatory period at St George’s Park between Monday 30 May – Wednesday 1 June, before recommencing their preparations between 6-10 June ahead of warm-up fixtures against Belgium and Netherlands on 16 and 24 June.
The squad will then spend a week training in Basel which will include an away friendly against Switzerland on 30 June in Zurich, ahead of their Women’s Euro campaign which commences on 6 July at Old Trafford against Austria with games against Norway and Northern Ireland to follow.
Wiegman though has issued advice for her squad as she iterated the importance of players getting rest following “a very busy season” ahead of a tough month of Euro preparation and building “an even closer connection on and off the pitch.”
Following friendlies against Belgium and Netherlands, Wiegman will have to cut five players from her squad in order to meet the official 23-woman squad deadline set by UEFA of 11:59pm CET on Sunday 26 June.
UEFA though will permit unlimited replacements ahead of the opening match in event of injury or Coronavirus related issues.
Here is England’s provisional 28-woman squad for 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro in full.
Goalkeepers – Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Aston Villa), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), Sandy Mclver (Everton)
Defence – Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
Midfield – Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Jill Scott (Aston Villa – on loan from Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Manchester City), Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Katie Zelem (Manchester United), Lucy Staniforth (Manchester United), Ella Toone (Manchester United)
Forwards – Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Arsenal), Alessio Russo (Manchester United), Ellen White (Manchester City), Bethany England (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City)
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