England captain Leah Williamson could make her first international appearance for a year after being named in Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses squad for two Euro 2025 qualifiers next month.
Williamson has not played for her country since a friendly defeat to Australia last April, having suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury while representing Arsenal later that month.
She spent nine months on the sidelines before returning to action in January, and she has now started the Gunners’ last three Women’s Super League games after working her way back to match fitness.
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Millie Bright captained England on their run to the final of last year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, but with the Chelsea defender having missed the last four months through injury, the Lionesses’ regular skipper should now reclaim the armband.
Williamson was named in Wiegman’s last squad in February only to withdraw with a minor hamstring issue, and the England boss is delighted to have her back.
Looking forward to working with @leahcwilliamson again 🤝 pic.twitter.com/1vaEbgcUMm
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) March 26, 2024
“I’m very happy, the squad looks good,” Wiegman said on Tuesday. “I’m looking forward to working with her again. It [her February withdrawal] was a hard one to take and a big disappointment for her.
“She recovered really well, it didn’t take too long which is good. Now she is getting into the rhythm.
“Of course, she has not played many games yet, but she is getting there and she needs the minutes now.”
England will face Sweden – who finished third at the World Cup – at Wembley Stadium on April 5 before heading to Dublin to face Ireland on April 9.
Manchester United defender Millie Turner, who replaced Williamson in February, is also included in the squad.
