Hannah Hampton has earned a surprise recall for England Lionesses’ clashes against Brazil and Australia in April 2023.
Hampton was dropped by manager, Sarina Wiegman after last summer’s triumphant UEFA Women’s Euros for personal reasons, yet has now been recalled in place of Everton’s Emily Ramsey who is ruled out with injury.
Mary Earps, Sandy Maclver and Ellie Roebuck have meanwhile kept their places in the goalkeeping selection.
In defence, Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben-Moy has been dropped with Wiegman instead opting to recall Esme Morgan and Lucy Parker, who were left out of the successful Arnold Clark Cup squad in February – having been called up in November and October 2022 respectively.
Parker though withdrew from her previous call-up due to injury at the time.
Manchester United’s Katie Zelem misses out in midfield alongside Fran Kirby, who withdrew from the Arnold Clark Cup due to injury.
Up front, Houston Dash’s Ebony Salmon has been omitted from the selection with Wiegman instead opting to promote Rachel Daly from defence to her forward selection, due to Daly’s incredible goalscoring form for Aston Villa with 21 goals in 23 appearances this season.
England will face 2022 Copa America Femenina winners, Brazil in the first-ever Women’s Finalissima on Thursday 6 April in a 7:45pm BST kick-off at Wembley Stadium, London, with the match broadcast live on ITV1.
Wiegman’s Lionesses will then remain in the UK capital for a friendly against Australia at Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford, in a 7:45pm BST kick-off on Tuesday 11 April.
Explaining her squad selection which marks her last chance to assess players before beginning World Cup preparations ahead of the tournament which commences in late July, Wiegman iterated the importance of making “every second on and off the pitch count.”
On facing Brazil in the first Women’s Finalissima, Wiegman added: “This is a major new trophy and to compete for it at a sold-out Wembley is another special moment, both for us as a team but also for our fans.
“We will never take these occasions for granted and I want to see how we perform against two teams that will be hoping to challenge for the World Cup.”
Here is the 25-player squad in full to face Brazil and Australia
Goalkeepers – Mary Earps (Manchester United), Sandy Maclver (Manchester City), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), Hannah Hampton (Aston Villa)
Defence – Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Everton), Lucy Parker (West Ham), Leah Williamson (Arsenal),
Midfield – Laura Coombs (Manchester City), Jordan Nobbs (Aston Villa), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona)
Forwards – Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Jessica Park (Everton – on loan from Manchester City), Katie Robinson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Alessio Russo (Manchester United),
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