26 October 2023 , 10:30
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Sarina Wiegman has revealed Lauren James will miss England's crucial Nations League double header with Belgium.
James received a concussion in training and won't play for the Lionesses on Friday night at Leicester's King Power Stadium. Wiegman, who turned 54 on Thursday, also revealed James won't be risked for the second game against the table-topping Red Flames, in Leuven on Tuesday.
The news is a big blow for England, although the European Champions can still call upon quality wingers in Man City duo Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly. A replacement won't be called up for James, which could improve Jess Park's chances of a chance to shine.
Wiegman is already without another wide forward in Beth Mead, who wasn't included in the squad despite her recent return to the pitch with Arsenal. "Of course we have 25 in the squad," said Wiegman. "But unfortunately not everyone is fit.
" Lauren James is not ready for tomorrow. She won't be ready for Tuesday also. Everyone else is good. It's nothing to worry about.
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"She picked up a concussion and we have to be very careful with the protocols. This (gap) is really too short for the two upcoming games."
England host Belgium needing to win their Nations League group to keep alive Team GB hopes of qualifying for the Olympic Games football tournament in Paris next summer. The Lionesses currently sit third in League Group 1, with a tricky final round of games, away to Scotland and at home to the Netherlands, after this week's double-header.
Lauren James will miss England's games with Belgium (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)Having not tasted defeat as England manager in her first 18 months in the job, Wiegman has now lost three times in the last six months following the defeat to the Dutch last time out.
This means England may need to win all four remaining games to guarantee top spot. But Wiegman says this hasn't altered the mindset of her squad.
Wiegman added: "We always want to win. We know the expectations are high but we have our own expectations too.
"What we really want to do is win. We lost the last game we were not happy with that, and we want to bounce back.
"We need to do things right, improve our game again and play very well against Belgium, to get a good result. That is how we approach it and those are our expectations."