13 September 2023 , 14:45
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Keira Walsh and Beth England have missed out on the England squad for their Nations League double header this month.
The pair have both been struggling with injury and Sarina Wiegman has chosen to leave both out. England boss Wiegman has recalled Maya Le Tissier and Jess Park to her 24-player squad for the two games against Scotland and Netherlands later this month.
Walsh has not trained for club side Barcelona since the World Cup, while England is recovering from undergoing minor surgery on her hip last week. It is the first Lionesses squad announced since the tournament, where England lost 1-0 to Spain in the final in Sydney last month. Walsh's injury was later confirmed to be a minor calf injury, with Wiegman describing it as "not a major thing."
There are three changes to the squad overall, with Lucy Staniforth also returning alongside Park and Le Tissier. Staniforth and Le Tissier were on standby for the World Cup in the summer, but were cut from the final 23-player squad.
Wiegman said: "By the time we play our first game, it will be little more than a month since the World Cup final. We have had little time to reflect on all we have achieved so far this year. Instead, we will have to make sure the players are fresh enough and ready to perform straight away, if we want to go far in another competition.
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"We will play a derby match against Scotland and they have shown good development recently and are getting stronger and stronger, while we know all about the Netherlands of course and the very talented players they have."
"It is the first time we have had the Nations League in the women’s game, and it will mean even more competitive matches for us to test ourselves. While the time to look back on a special period for us will come at the end of the year, it will be good to see the fans again in Sunderland. We have a great connection with the north-east and I know they will give us tremendous support again."
England will take on Scotland at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on Friday September 22. They then travel to Utrecht to face Wiegman's native Netherlands on Tuesday September 26.
The games come too soon for injured trio Beth Mead, Fran Kirby and Leah Williamson. Mead and Kirby are thought to have a good chance of being involved with their clubs on the opening weekend of the WSL, but the England boss has decided against bringing them back in at this stage. Forwards Nikita Parris and Ebony Salmon also miss out.
If England reach the final of the inaugural Nations League, Team GB will qualify for the Women's Olympic football tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics. As well as Scotland and Netherlands, the Lionesses will also face Belgium in Group A1 with a double header against the Red Flames taking place at the end of October.
England are the 'nominated' home nation for Team GB's qualification. This means if Scotland finish above England in the group it would end Scottish players hopes of representing Team GB in Paris.
Full England squad for September internationals:
Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton, Ellie Roebuck, Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright, Alex Greenwood, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Laura Coombs, Jordan Nobbs, Jess Park, Lucy Staniforth, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Katie Zelem, Rachel Daly, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo, Katie Robinson.