Due to an injury, Leah Williamson will not be joining her first England squad since April of last year. In her place, Millie Turner has been called up to replace the Euro 2022-winning captain.
Arsenal described the 26-year-old’s problem as a “minor hamstring injury” before Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United, less than a month after Williamson returned to action for the Gunners after a nine-month recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament rupture.
England, the team that came in second place at the World Cup, will be going to Spain on Monday for friendly matches against Austria and Italy. In Sarina Wiegman’s squad, Manchester United defender Turner will be taking the place of Williamson.
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The Football Association released a statement stating that Millie Turner has been selected to join the England team for their upcoming matches against Austria and Italy, which will take place in southern Spain. Turner, who plays for Manchester United, will be taking the place of Leah Williamson, who has been unable to participate due to an injury sustained while playing for Arsenal over the weekend.
Turner was included in the Lionesses’ final squad of 2023. Unfortunately, Williamson suffered a knee injury during a WSL match against Manchester United and was unable to participate in England’s journey to the Women’s World Cup final. In her absence, Chelsea defender Millie Bright took on the role of captain. If Williamson had been able to return, it would have been her first time back with the England squad since they won the women’s Finalissima trophy in April 2023.
On the previous Monday, Wiegman, the manager of England, expressed her satisfaction with Williamson’s comeback, stating, “It’s great to have her back on the team because she’s a highly skilled player. Despite being absent for several months, her decision-making abilities remain top-notch. She’s still in the process of getting back into form. The team has performed admirably without her, with players stepping up, but having her back is definitely a bonus.”
Wiegman did not mention if Williamson will retain the captain’s armband, as Bright is also unable to play due to injury. “I need to discuss this with the players first,” she stated.
Source: theguardian.com
