Leah Williamson, the talented defender from Arsenal, has unfortunately been forced to withdraw from the England squad due to an injury. This setback means that Williamson will miss England’s upcoming friendly fixtures against Austria and Italy. The Arsenal ace suffered a hamstring strain, which caused her to sit out of Arsenal’s recent victory over Manchester United.
Williamson’s last appearance for the national team was during the Lionesses’ triumph over Brazil in the Women’s Finalissima last April. Since then, she has been recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Her call-up this month was a significant milestone in her journey back to full fitness.
The news of Williamson’s withdrawal was hinted by Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall after their win against Manchester United. Eidevall mentioned that the Lionesses skipper would miss the match due to a “minor” hamstring issue, indicating that her participation in the England squad was uncertain.
In light of Williamson’s absence, Millie Turner from Manchester United has been called up as her replacement. This is a well-deserved opportunity for Turner, who was previously recalled to the national team for the Women’s Nations League clashes against the Netherlands and Scotland. Last November, she had replaced injured Lionesses vice-captain Millie Bright.
Turner will now join her England teammates in Marbella, Spain, for a warm weather training camp. The squad will be preparing for their friendly matches against Austria and Italy, which will take place on February 23 and February 27 respectively at the Estadio Nuevo Mirador Algeciras.
It is worth noting that these fixtures are crucial in England’s preparations for the Euros 2025 qualifiers in April. The Lionesses will be looking to fine-tune their tactics and build chemistry within the team as they aim for success in the upcoming qualifiers.
Williamson’s absence is undoubtedly disappointing for both the player and the team. With 43 senior caps to her name, her experience and leadership on the pitch will be missed. However, her focus will now shift towards recovering from the hamstring strain and regaining full fitness for future competitions.
In the meantime, Lotte Wubben-Moy, another Arsenal teammate of Williamson’s, has been included in the Lionesses squad as one of the eight defenders. This is an exciting opportunity for Wubben-Moy to showcase her skills at the international level.
As England’s training camp begins, the squad will be eager to make the most of their time together. The friendly matches against Austria and Italy will provide valuable insights for coach Sarina Wiegman as she assesses her players and finalizes her plans for the Euros 2025 qualifiers.
Overall, while Leah Williamson’s injury may have halted her England return for now, the team remains focused on their preparations for upcoming challenges. With Millie Turner stepping in as her replacement and a strong squad at their disposal, the Lionesses are determined to continue their pursuit of success on the international stage.