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Sarina Wiegman has named Fran Kirby and Keira Walsh in her 25-player squad for England’s Women’s Nations League double header against Belgium this month.
Chelsea forward Kirby has earned her first call-up this year since sustaining a knee injury in February while Barcelona’s Walsh is back after missing the matches against Scotland and the Netherlands in September because of a calf issue.
However, striker Beth Mead is not included despite making her first appearance for Arsenal on Sunday since her knee injury last November, coming off the bench and setting up the winner in a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.
Manchester United midfielder Grace Clinton, on loan at Tottenham, and Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating have been called up to the senior squad for the first time. The pair have made the step up from the England Women’s U23s squad after their impressive starts to the new Women’s Super League season.
Beth Mead’s return changed the game as Arsenal beat Aston Villa
Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy returns after withdrawing from the September squad with an injury.
Katie Robinson, Jordan Nobbs, Laura Coombs and Lucy Staniforth drop out.
Wiegman’s side continue their Group A1 matches by facing Belgium at Leicester’s King Power Stadium on Friday October 27 and then again away four days later, having started their campaign with a 2-1 win over Scotland and 2-1 loss to the Netherlands in September.
England were beaten in the Nations League by the Netherlands
Wiegman said: “It’s good for us to be back together. Obviously we had a good start with the win against Scotland; however, the outcome of our last fixture against the Netherlands was disappointing.
“We will be fully focused on performing well twice against tough opposition. Belgium’s results in the Nations League show they are a talented side who can cause teams problems, so we will need to be at our best to get the results we’re looking for.
England’s Lucy Bronze celebrates scoring against Scotland
“The group is wide open, so every game is crucial. The squad have shown their ability to respond to setbacks and I’m sure this will be no different. We look forward to meeting up at St George’s Park next Monday and putting in the time to make sure we’re fully prepared and ready to go twice in quick succession.
“Again we feel very fortunate to be playing in front of a sell-out crowd. The support we are receiving from all corners of the country is amazing, it isn’t something we’ll ever take for granted and it really gives us that extra lift. Hopefully we can give them another night to remember.”
England squad:
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City).
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Lucy Parker (Aston Villa), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal).
Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Tottenham on loan from Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Katie Zelem (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona).
Forwards: Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Jess Park (Manchester City), Alessia Russo (Arsenal).
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