Leah Williamson has been named in the Lionesses squad for the first time since suffering an ACL injury 10 months ago.
It is the first time Williamson will feature in an England selection since the Euro2022 champions' 2-0 friendly loss to Australia following their victory in the inaugural Women’s Finalissima trophy in April 2023.
Sarina Wiegman announced her 23-player squad for England’s upcoming double-header against Austria and Italy at the end of the month as the Lionesses prepare for the upcoming 2025 Women’s EURO qualifying campaign, which is set to begin in April after the draw on 5 March.
Wiegman's squad will travel to Algeciras in Spain for a warm-weather training camp before playing their two fixtures at the Estadio Nuevo Mirador on 23 and 27 February respectively.
The double-header marks the first competitive matches for England since failing to qualify for the summer’s Olympic Games in Paris after finishing second in their Nations League group, a disappointing follow-up to an historic and exhilarating summer Down Under in which England reached a first-ever World Cup final, eventually falling to a 1-0 defeat to champions Spain.
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And England were handed a major boost in the inclusion of Williamson. The Arsenal defender returned to the competitive fold earlier this year after spending nine months in recovery. Her first appearance arrived in the Gunner’s 6-0 League Cup victory at Reading, with the 26-year-old coming off the bench.
Williamson has since made two starts for Jonas Eidevall’s side, including the 1-0 FA Cup fifth round loss to Manchester City at which Wiegman was in attendance.
At Meadow Park, Wiegman also got the chance to take in plenty of Lionesses, including Manchester City youngster Jess Park who was included in the 23-player squad as well as Arsenal striker Beth Mead who has returned from her own ACL injury in recent months.
Meanwhile, Chelsea defender Millie Bright remains out of contention through injury.
On the squad, Wiegman said: “This camp is where the road to EURO 2025 in Switzerland begins. 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.
“It is the first time we will be back together as a group since last year. Travelling away for this camp will give us a great opportunity to connect again on and off the pitch and allow us to give minutes to many players. Being in Spain with hopefully good weather and excellent facilities is the perfect setting for the work we need to do as a team to get us ready for another very important year ahead.”
The England squad in full: Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton, Khiara Keating, Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Maya Le Tissier, Emse Morgan, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Grace Clinton, Fran Kirby, Jess Park, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh, Rachel Daly, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead and Alessia Russo.
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