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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jack Lacey-Hatton

Five Lionesses stars who still need to earn World Cup place in upcoming games

Sarina Wiegman has named her England squad for two internationals next month.

The Lionesses face Brazil at Wembley in the first women's Finalissima as the European and South American champions meet, before hosting Australia at Brentford in a friendly. It is a hugely important international break for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the game against Brazil offers the Lionesses to win even more silverware - what could be there fourth trophy of the Wiegman era. It is also the last meet-up of the regular 2022-23 season. But perhaps even more importantly it is the final international window before the summer and the Women's World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand.

Some players in the team almost pick themselves. The likes of Mary Earps, Lauren Hemp, skipper Leah Williamson and Keira Walsh will all be on the plane barring injury and may as well start packing their suitcases for the long-haul trip now.

Arnold Clark Cup Player of the Tournament Lauren James is also almost certain to be part of the travelling group after recent dazzling displays on the international stage. But there are a few players in the current squad who need to impress next week or could find themselves left out of the World Cup party.

Wiegman has named 25 players for this break, but can only name 23 for the finals. So here are five players who are still looking to cement their place in the England boss' plans.

Esme Morgan

Man City defender Esme Morgan gave an energetic performance in a huge 2-1 win over Chelsea in the WSL on Sunday. That has been rewarded with an England recall, after Morgan missed out on the Arnold Clark Cup triumph after she was involved in both the October and November 2022 camps.

Esme Morgan (Getty Images)

The 22-year-old deserves her place in the squad, particularly with Lotte Wubben-Moy dropping out freeing up more space amongst the defenders. However, when Morgan does get some pitch time over the two games she will have to hit the ground running.

Her time on the field maybe limited, particularly if Wiegman goes for a first choice back-four against Brazil. Uncapped Lucy Parker has also received a call-up and the Dutch coach could be keen to see what she can do.

It is highly unlikely there will be room for all three of Morgan, Parker and Wubben-Moy on the plane down under. So if given the chance Morgan needs to impress and get herself in-front of her competition.

Laura Coombs

Another key figure in Man City's recent return to the title picture, Laura Coombs returned to the England set-up for the first time in seven years last month. The 32-year-old recently told Mirror Football she would only start to think about her possible World Cup selection if picked for the April fixtures and Tuesday confirmed Wiegman had indeed selected Coombs.

But Coombs inclusion comes at the same time as in-form Man Utd captain Katie Zelem was not selected. This shows how fierce the competition is in midfield, all before attacking midfielder Fran Kirby potentially returns before the season ends.

So City's No.7 needs to shine over the next two weeks to maximise her chances of Australia.

Hannah Hampton

It is easy just to assume Hannah Hampton will be a straight pick as England's third choice for the World Cup after returning to the squad on Tuesday. "As I've said over all the other camps that she needed to sort out some personal issues - she's done that,' Wiegman said after naming her in her latest team.

"She has shown great performances. She has shown consistency and done that at her club first, so I thought this is the moment to bring her in." But football is rarely straightforward.

Hampton has been playing well, but so too was Emily Ramsey on-loan at Everton before she was injured during the last England camp. The Villa keeper was part of the Euro 2022 squad, but she does need a solid camp to put herself firmly in the driving seat to be third choice in Australia.

Katie Robinson

One of the major plus points from England's Arnold Clark Cup win over Italy last month was two excellent performances from Katie Robinson and Jess Park in the wide areas. Both are included again as part of the seven forwards named by Wiegman.

But realistically with the Lionesses limited to take only 23 to the World Cup, with three of those taken by goalkeepers, this will be reduced to at least six come the summer. Barring further injuries or major losses of form this will leave Robinson battling it out with Park for the final spot.

Katie Robinson after her England debut (The FA via Getty Images)

Park, on-loan at Everton from Man City, appeared first out of the two and scored her maiden international goal against Japan in November, only seconds after coming off the bench. This leaves Robinson with some work to do in the April camp.

If she can replicate the positivity she showed against Italy, you wouldn't rule her out making the squad just yet.

Alex Greenwood

A slight change of pace here as Alex Greenwood almost certainly will be part of the squad for the World Cup finals. The question over the Man City defender is more about whether she starts or not.

Greenwood wasn't named in a starting XI for the entirety of Euro 2022. However, since then her form with club Man City has been consistently excellent and Rachel Daly has been deployed further forward on a more regular basis.

She now has a real chance nail down the left back spot ahead of the World Cup. Greenwood was outstanding in the 4-0 win over Korea Republic in the Arnold Clark Cup and if she can produce another big performance against Brazil, she could find herself essential to the starting XI.

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