Leah Williamson, the talented Arsenal defender, has suffered a setback in her return to the England squad. The 26-year-old has withdrawn from the squad after injuring her hamstring, marking a significant development in her journey back to international football. This comes after missing nine months of last year due to an anterior cruciate knee ligament (ACL) injury.
Williamson’s absence opens the door for Manchester United defender Millie Turner, who will take her place in the squad for the upcoming fixtures against Austria and Italy in February. The 23-player squad is set to travel to Spain for a warm weather camp before facing Austria on 23 February and Italy on 27 February.
While the Arsenal manager, Jonas Eidevall, described Williamson’s injury as “really minor” on Saturday, it seems that it was enough to warrant her withdrawal from the national squad. Eidevall also mentioned that she would “likely” be unable to join the team. This is undoubtedly disappointing news for Williamson, who was looking forward to representing her country once again.
Despite the setback, it is important to note that Williamson has shown incredible resilience and determination throughout her recovery process. She made her comeback for Arsenal in January after being sidelined with her ACL injury. However, she has yet to play a full 90 minutes since her recovery, as she has mainly featured as a substitute in recent matches.
In a League Cup win against Reading on 25 January, she made an appearance as a substitute and played a part in Arsenal’s impressive 6-0 victory. More recently, she started in a Women’s Super League match against West Ham on 4 February but was substituted at half-time as Arsenal suffered a 2-1 defeat.
Williamson’s withdrawal from the England squad is undoubtedly a setback for both her and the national team. As the captain during England’s Euro 2022 triumph, her leadership and skills on the pitch are highly valued. However, it is crucial for her to prioritize her recovery and ensure that she is fully fit before returning to international action.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how Williamson continues to progress in her recovery and whether she will be able to secure a spot in future England squads. Her determination and resilience have been evident throughout her journey, and it is only a matter of time before she returns to her best form.
In conclusion, Leah Williamson’s withdrawal from the England squad due to a hamstring injury is a significant development in her return to international football. This setback comes after a lengthy absence due to an ACL injury. While it may be disappointing for both Williamson and the national team, her recovery and well-being should remain the top priority. With her resilience and determination, it is only a matter of time before she returns to represent England once again.