Sarina Wiegman announces the squad for the Lionesses’ November friendlies against Japan and Norway.
The 25-player group will take on their fellow 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup finalists at the Pinatar Arena football centre in Murcia. The fixtures see Japan up first on Friday, November 11th (KO 7 pm GMT), followed by a meeting with Norway on Tuesday, November 15th (KO 7 pm GMT).
After regaining form for Arsenal, Jordan Nobbs returns to the squad for the games in Spain. While uncapped Katie Robinson and Maya Le Tissier are in the squad.
It begs the question, what does Tottenham star Ash Neville have to do to get a call-up to Wiegman’s side? After having a fantastic start to this season, including a terrific performance against Brighton just last weekend, it almost felt like now or never for the Spurs player to impress ahead of the World Cup next summer.
Elsewhere, as predicted by Suzy Wrack and The Guardian, Hannah Hampton has been excluded from the Lionesses squad. Although the door hasn’t been closed with Wiegman sharing, “nothing has changed since September, something personal that I will not comment on, the door is always open o come back before World Cup.”
Squad in full: Mary Earps, Sandy Maciver, Ellie Roebuck, Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Niamh Charles, Rachel Daly, Alex Greenwood, Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Fran Kirby, Jordan Nobbs, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh, Katie Zalem. Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Nikita Parris, Alessia Russo, Katie Robinson, Ebony Salmon.
These matches are a vital opportunity for players to play their way into Wiegman’s squad for Australia and New Zealand next July. England already know two of their group opponents, Denmark and China, with the identity of their third opponents to be confirmed in February.
