England Captain Millie Bright Withdraws from Uefa Women’s Nations League Squad Due to Knee Injury
England captain Millie Bright has been forced to withdraw from the squad for the final two games in the Uefa Women’s Nations League due to a knee injury.
Crucial Games for England’s Nations League Hopes
The Lionesses are facing a must-win situation in both games in order to keep their chances alive of reaching the Nations League finals.
Upcoming Fixtures:
- England vs. Netherlands on 1 December (Home)
- England vs. Scotland on 5 December (Away)
Manchester United defender Millie Turner has been called up as a replacement for Chelsea centre-back Bright.
Olympic Qualification at Stake
England’s hopes of Olympic qualification for Team GB also depend on their performance in the Nations League finals.
Bright, who has been serving as England captain in the absence of Leah Williamson, will be sorely missed. She led the Lionesses in their run to the 2023 World Cup final.
Bright was already an injury doubt before the World Cup and was absent from Chelsea’s recent victory over Paris FC in the Women’s Champions League.
Turner, who is yet to earn a senior international cap, will now have the opportunity to make her mark for England.
Crucial Matches for England’s Nations League Group
England currently sit in third place in their Nations League group after suffering a surprise 3-2 defeat against Belgium in their previous match. They are trailing both the Netherlands and Belgium in Group A1.
To finish top of the group and progress to the finals, England need to win both matches and hope for favorable results in other games. They are currently three points behind the Netherlands and one point behind Belgium.
Full England Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City)
Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Millie Turner (Manchester United), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Tottenham, on loan from Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Katie Zelem (Manchester United)
Forwards: Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)