Wiegman happy to see Leah Williamson back in Lionesses fold ahead of England’s duels with Austria and Italy

SARINA WIEGMAN hailed Leah Williamson’s England return from injury, but was tight-lipped on if she will skipper the side this month.

And the Lionesses chief wants Fifa and Uefa to sort out match scheduling and congestion issues so players can “stay fit and fresh”.

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Soccer Football – Women’s FA Cup – Fifth Round – Arsenal v Manchester City – Meadow Park, Borehamwood, Britain – February 11, 2024 Manchester City’s Chloe Kelly and Arsenal’s Leah Williamson after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers[/caption]

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FILE – England’s Leah Williamson gestures during the Women’s Finalissima soccer match between England and Brazil at Wembley stadium in London, on April 6, 2023. Williamson will miss the Women’s World Cup because of a torn knee ligament. Arsenal confirmed Friday April 21, 2023 that Williamson “suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament” and will need […][/caption]

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England manager Sarina Wiegman speaks to the media during the squad announcement at St. George’s Park, Burton-on-Trent. Picture date: Tuesday February 13, 2024 PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER England Women. Photo credit should read: Mike Egerton/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to FA restrictions. Editorial use only. Commercial use only with prior written consent of […][/caption]

The head coach expressed delight in including Williamson, 26, in her squad ahead of England’s first two international fixtures for this year.

The Lioness centre-back’s recall comes a month on from her return to action for Arsenal, after her successful recovery from a ligament tear sustained last April.

England will play Austria next Friday in a friendly ay the Estadio Nuevo Mirador in Spain before facing Italy on February 27.

And Wiegman, 53, revealed Williamson, who skippered the Lionesses to 2022 Euros glory might not pull on the captain’s armband for these two fixtures.

She said: “It’s really nice to have her back because she’s a very good player.

“Even though she has been out for months, her decision-making (on the pitch) is still good and yes – she’s still building.

“I think the team picked up last year very well. The players stepped up but it’s really good to have her back.”

Williamson’s anterior cruciate ligament saw her miss England’s World Cup run last summer with the team reaching the tournament’s final for the first time.  

Her last Lionesses appearance saw her skipper the side to a Women’s Finalissima triumph over Brazil at Wembley last April.

On whether the WSL ace will skipper the side against Austria and Italy, Wiegman added: “I have to talk to the players about that.

“It’s also a new moment so she’ll start again. We’ll probably revisit that and have a conversation with the group.”

England’s February fixtures will be used by Wiegman and her players as part of their preparation for qualifiers for next summer’s Euros.

The team, who will play in their first qualifier games in April, are eager to win back-to-back Euros trophies.

Away from the pitch, Wiegman insists match scheduling needs to be looked at to ensure players have adequate rest between seasons.

England are among the sides who have played in successive tournaments over the past three summers.

And it’s led to WSL stars and players from domestic leagues having shorter breaks ahead of the start of new domestic seasons.

Wiegman said: “What the players want and what they ask all the time too is ‘where is the rest for us?’, because they want to compete.

“We want the players to be fit and fresh.

“This means that you always need a proper rest, but you also need to train between June and July too.

“We’ve had some conversations with clubs, and these have been good conversations,

“But we still don’t always have solutions for that period. Fifa and Uefa need to solve that for the players.

Wiegman’s 23-strong squad selection saw Manchester City forward Jess Park recalled alongside uncapped goalkeeper Khiara Keating.

Tottenham midfielder Grace Clinton, on loan at Spurs from Man United this term, was also included.

But there was no recall for in-form Red Devils forward Nikita Parris.

The Man United ace has netted 15 goals Wiegman admits it was a hard call to leave her out.

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EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE – FEBRUARY 11: Nikita Parris of Manchester United runs with the ball from Paige Peake of Southampton FC during the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Fifth Round match between Southampton F.C. and Manchester United at Silverlake Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Eastleigh, Hampshire. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst – The FA/The FA via Getty […][/caption]

The England boss added: “Of course, the competition up front is really high and she didn’t play much (for Man United) in the Autumn.

“Since then, she’s played well as a number nine.

“I’ve spoken to her, and I hope she has more consistency there. I have gone with other players but it was a tough decision.”