England Lionesses manager, Sarina Wiegman has made five changes to her squad for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers against Austria and Luxembourg.
Following England’s title success at 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro on home soil, Jill Scott and Ellen White have since both announced their retirements from the sport.
Wiegman consequently have recalled Jordan Nobbs and Ebony Salmon to replace the duo with Nobbs returning after missing the Euros with a knee injury, whilst Salmon has received her first call-up since September 2021.
Chloe Kelly – who scored the extra-time winner over Germany in the Euros Final – has been ruled out through injury, with Lauren James handed her first international call-up under Wiegman’s reign and her first call-up since a training camp in November 2020.
Chelsea’s Frank Kirby is also absent as she recovers from a foot injury and has been replaced by Manchester United’s Katie Zelem who narrowly missed out on selection for the Euros this summer.
Aston Villa goalkeeper, Hannah Hampton meanwhile is the only definitive snub from the Euros squad due to “personal issues”, as Manchester City’s Sandy Maclver is handed a recall after she missed out on the Euros squad, following her call-up to the preliminary squad selection.
Speaking about this summer’s success and what lies ahead, Wiegman iterated that those involved in the Euros “… have to get straight back to business.”
Wiegman also urged her players “to set aside our amazing memories of this summer” and focus on securing automatic qualification and avoid the play-offs.
There however are several enforced changes in midfield and attack as Wiegman proceeded to discuss, as she said: “We have lost four players in midfield and forward positions so I am pleased we can turn to experience in Katie and Jordan along with two for the future in Lauren and Ebony.”
On the decision to hand call-ups for young players in Maclver, Zelem, James and Salmon, Wiegman added: “When we can, it is important to give opportunities to our promising younger players in this environment, and for them to experience what is expected in the senior set-up both on and off the pitch.”
England will secure qualification for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with either victory or a draw over closest rivals – Austria, as the pair meet in Wiener Neustadt on Saturday 3 September at 5:30pm CET (4:30pm BST UK Time)
Wiegman’s Lionesses then conclude their World Cup Qualifying campaign with a home clash against Luxembourg at 7:30pm BST on Tuesday 6 September at BET365 Stadium, Stoke.
Here is England’s 23-woman squad in full.
Goalkeepers – Mary Earps (Manchester United), Sandy Maclver (Manchester City), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City)
Defence – Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
Midfield – Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Katie Zelem (Manchester United)
Forwards – Bethany England (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Arsenal), Alessio Russo (Manchester United), Ebony Salmon (Houston Dash)
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