FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Women's Finalissima - England Training - St. George's Park, Burton Upon Trent, Britain - April 4, 2023 England's Leah Williamson during training Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
(Reuters) - Leah Williamson is back in the England squad for the first time since April last year, after manager Sarina Wiegman named the 23 players on Tuesday for the Lionesses' friendly games later this month.
Arsenal defender Williamson returned to club action in January following a nine-month absence after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). She missed the Women's World Cup last year where England lost 1-0 to Spain in the final.
England travel to Algeciras in Spain where they will face Austria on Feb. 23 before taking on Italy four days later at the same venue.
Defender Millie Bright is unavailable due to injury, while Jess Park is another player making a return to the squad, the Manchester City midfielder last appeared for England in October.
The games come before the qualification campaign for Euro 2025 begins in April, and England, the defending champions, will learn their group opponents when the draw takes place on March 5.
"This camp is where the road to Euro 2025 in Switzerland begins," Wiegman said.
"Playing against strong teams like Austria and Italy is just the preparation we need before we kick off our qualifying campaign in April.
"Being in Spain with hopefully good weather and excellent facilities is the perfect setting for the work we need to do as a team to get us ready for another very important year ahead."
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton, Khiara Keating.
Defenders: Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy
Midfielders: Grace Clinton, Fran Kirby, Jess Park, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh
Forwards: Rachel Daly, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo.
(Reporting by Trevor Stynes; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
