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WHAT HAPPENED?
All three have injuries that rule them out of England’s final two games of the year – and they are not the only ones. Sarina Wiegman is also still unable to call upon Chelsea’s Niamh Charles for the upcoming international break, leaving her to once again ponder the lack of options at left-back, while Lucy Parker, called up in October, is the fifth injury absence ahead of games with the U.S. and Switzerland.
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Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
As a result, Wiegman has called up two new faces, in the midfield pair of Laura Blindkilde Brown and Ruby Mace. Both are familiar to the coach from the youth teams and will now get their chance to show what they can do with the seniors. Gabby George, meanwhile, is back for the first time since November 2022 and could well be a solution for the Lionesses in that troublesome left-back role.
LIONESSES SQUAD IN FULL
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (PSG), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride)
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham FC), Gabby George (Man Utd), Alex Greenwood (Man City), Maya Le Tissier (Man Utd), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Millie Turner (Man Utd), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Man City), Grace Clinton (Man Utd), Fran Kirby (Brighton), Ruby Mace (Leicester City), Jess Park (Man City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Keira Walsh (Barcelona)
Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Man City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Jess Naz (Tottenham), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
WHAT WIEGMAN SAID
“This is an important international window for us to continue our work to be ready for next summer’s Euros,” Wiegman said. “Every minute of these two games and every moment spent together at St. George’s Park is to make sure we’re where we need to be when the tournament begins on July 2.
“As we continue our preparations we want to test ourselves against the very best and that’s why we have carefully selected the USA and Switzerland. They are two opponents who will challenge us in different ways this window and that’s exactly what we want.
“The USA need no introductions and to play them at Wembley Stadium in front of a packed home crowd again is going to be very special. Under Emma they’ve reached a really top level. Switzerland are improving all the time and their impressive victory against France last month shows what they are capable of and how much they continue to grow and develop.”
DID YOU KNOW?
There was some surprise on Monday when Hayes revealed her USWNT roster to face England, with the attacking trident of Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman all left at home. The star trio helped fire the U.S. to Olympic gold in the summer but a different combination of forwards will come up against the Lionesses at Wembley on November 30.
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR THE LIONESSES?
After that match, England will close 2024 at Bramall Lane in Sheffield against Switzerland, the hosts of next summer’s European Championships. The Lionesses have already qualified for the tournament and, as reigning champions, will be one of the favourites to triumph again – though perhaps not the absolute front-runner.
