England injury latest as Lionesses begin pre-World Cup training camp

20 June 2023 , 17:07

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Millie Bright of England (Image: Photo by Naomi Baker - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

England kicked off their pre-World Cup training camp at St George's Park on Tuesday morning with a month to go until the tournament kicks off in Australia and New Zealand on July 20.

Sarina Wiegman named her squad at the end of May and there was room for Chelsea's Millie Bright as she makes her return from injury, while Bethany England, Laura Coombs and Katie Zelem were also called-up. The squad were in good spirits as they emerged onto the Sir Bobby Charlton pitch and were put through their paces in an open training session, but there were a couple of notable absentees.

Bright, who missed the final two months of the 2022/23 season through injury, didn't take part as she works through an individual training plan ahead of the tournament. Aston Villa midfielder Jordan Nobbs is also on an individual plan and was absent from training after a minor injury.

Bayern Munich's Georgia Stanway was on the pitch with the squad but is undertaking a modified training programme following nasal surgery. Manchester City's Jess Park, who was named on the standby list for the tournament, took part in the session but is also on a modified plan with reduced contact due to a shoulder injury.

England will play one final game on home soil before they jet off to Australia ahead of the World Cup. Wiegman's side will take on Portugal at Stadium MK on Saturday, July 1 in a send-off fixture.

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The squad will fly out a few days later and face Tokyo 2020 gold medallists Canada in a behind-closed-doors match on 14 July, eight days before their tournament gets underway.

Georgia Stanway of England looks on during a training session at St Georges Park (Photo by Naomi Baker - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

England have been drawn into Group D along with Haiti, Denmark and China. They will face Haiti in their opening game on July 22, with the group stages set to conclude on August 3.

Wiegman's side have had a successful year after winning the Euros on home turf last summer. They clinched a second consecutive Arnold Clark Cup prize in February before they beat Brazil in April to claim the inaugural Women's Finalissima at Wembley Stadium.

England will hope to go another step further at the World Cup after reaching the semi-finals at the 2019 tournament in France.

Hannah Pinnock