Kelly in, Parris returns for Nations League openers

This week England head coach Sarina Wiegman named her 24-player squad for February’s opening Nations League fixtures, having to contend with further injuries and fitness problems that continue to hamper preparations for this summer’s European Championships.

Arsenal forward Chloe Kelly, the hero of Wembley three years ago as England secured their maiden European Championship, is included, having initially missed out.

Having recently struggled for minutes at parent club Manchester City, Kelly was loaned to her former club in the most recent transfer window hoping to recapture her form in anticipation of this summer’s edition of the tournament. Made to wait before a second debut, she received valuable playing time in Arsenal’s 5-0 win over North London rivals Tottenham.

Initially left out of this month’s squad, Wiegman explaining that Kelly “hasn’t played enough” this season for Nations League consideration, she has been made a late addition to the team in the place of injured fellow Arsenal forward Beth Mead.

Wiegman’s injury list continues to prove a headache

Nikita Parris has also been called upon to provide crucial depth for first choice striker Alessia Russo, receiving her first international call up in over two years.

Parris made two substitute appearances as England were victorious on home soil in 2022, and returns to the squad having recaptured her form in a bright start at new club Brighton, who are on course to secure their highest ever league finish.

Elsewhere, fellow European Championship final goalscorer Ella Toone and Chelsea forward Lauren James return to bolster Wiegman’s attacking options, Toone having recovered from the calf injury that saw her miss fixtures against the United States and Switzerland in the final camp of 2024.

Midfielders Laura Blindkilde Brown and Ruby Mace retain their places in Wiegman’s squad having both made their debuts in the 1-0 win over Switzerland at Bramall Lane in December.

Despite the returns of Toone and James, Wiegman’s injury list continues to prove a headache. Bayern Munich midfielder Georgia Stanway joins key Manchester City and England duo Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood on the sidelines, having torn her lateral collateral ligament in a recent training session.

Stanway underwent successful surgery at the end of January but will be a doubt for this summer’s tournament, while the exact timeframe for the returns of Hemp and Greenwood remains unclear.

Lotte Wubben-Moy was another Arsenal player forced to withdraw, and has been replaced by Aston Villa’s Lucy Parker.

England travel to the Algarve to face Portugal on Friday 21 February

Orlando Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse retains her own spot in Wiegman’s squad following her magnificent National Women’s Soccer League output last term, keeping a record-breaking thirteen clean sheets as the Pride won the regular season and playoffs double. If Moorhouse is to soon debut for the national team, it would be a proud moment for the Pride fanbase.

England travel to the Algarve to face Portugal on Friday 21 February before returning to Wembley for a midweek rematch with Spain the following Wednesday, the side who broke English hearts in the World Cup final in 2023.