With just a few weeks to go before Sarina Wiegman names her squad for this summer’s Women’s World Cup, time is running out for players to prove they deserve a seat on the plane to Australia and New Zealand.
But, while the Lionesses will be among the favourites heading into the tournament, a deluge of injuries to key players in recent months means their hopes of taking home the biggest prize in world football are perhaps slightly more brittle than they were in the aftermath of last year’s historic Euro 2022 victory.
With that in mind, Mirror Football has taken a look at where every player that featured in England’s starting XI against Germany is now, and whether they’ll be in contention to feature for the Lionesses in their World Cup opener against Haiti on July 22.
Mary Earps
So often in football, unearthing a world class talent between the sticks is the key to attaining sustained success. And so it proved when Sarina Wiegman entrusted Mary Earps with England’s No. 1 shirt back in 2021.
The Nottingham-born shot-stopper has been a revelation for both club and country in the past 12 months, helping the Lionesses to three pieces of silverware and establishing herself as an integral part of the Manchester United side that is currently residing at the top of the Women’s Super League [WSL] table.
The 2022/23 campaign has also seen Earps secure a number of personal accolades. In January, she became the first goalkeeper in WSL history to register 50 clean sheets and the following month she was crowned The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper.
Certainly, if the 30-year-old carries that scintillating form into the summer, England will have a real shot at World Cup glory.
Lucy Bronze
Lucy Bronze has enjoyed a stellar debut season with Barcelona, helping the Catalan giants to a fourth successive Liga F title and the Spanish Women's Super Cup .
However, the sight of the 31-year-old limping off during Barcelona’s Champions League semi-final victory against Chelsea last month offered a cause for real consternation among those of an England persuasion.
The right-back swiftly underwent keyhole surgery on her knee, prompting fears she would miss this summer’s showpiece tournament. However, Barcelona manager Jonatan Giraldez has since assuaged such concerns, noting Bronze’s condition would only see her sidelined for “a few weeks”.
Millie Bright
A natural leader and a gifted defender, Millie Bright has cemented herself as a colossus at the heart of England’s back-line.
The centre-back’s World Cup hopes have been shrouded in doubt since March, when she picked up a knee injury in Chelsea’s Champions League quarter-final victory over Lyon.
That doubt intensified when she was spotted on crutches last month, however manager Emma Hayes has confirmed that, while Bright’s domestic season could be over, she will be fit to feature for England in the summer.
Speaking after her side's 2-1 win over Liverpool, Hayes said: “I don’t know when she’ll be back. Slim chances in the next couple of week - if at all for the rest of the season. She’ll make the World Cup, I’m sure of that."
Leah Williamson
Since taking the armband in April 2022, Leah Williamson has been a sensation for England, both on and off the pitch.
The 26-year-old has already lifted four trophies with the Lionesses and looked like she may well add to that tally this summer. However, last month - in perhaps what has been the biggest blow to England’s World Cup hopes so far - Williamson ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament during Arsenal ’s WSL defeat to Manchester United.
"Until I have the words to express my feelings properly, I will struggle to verbalise them,” the defender said in a statement on social media. “The noise around the situation is quite loud and I need some quiet to let it all sink in. Unfortunately the World Cup and Champions League dream is over for me.”
Williamson will now undergo surgery and an intensive rehabilitation programme but will almost certainly not feature for either club or country until 2024.
Rachel Daly
When it comes to signings of the season in the Women’s Super League, Rachel Daly is the first name that springs to mind.
The 31-year-old joined Aston Villa from NWSL side Houston Dash last summer and is currently leading the way at the top of the WSL’s goalscoring charts. But while Daly is deployed as a striker on the domestic stage, she has often been used at left-back for England, including during last summer’s Final.
Daly has remained dogmatic in her ambivalence towards her preferred position, insisting to the media she is happy to play anywhere on the pitch so long as it helps the team. Her goal scoring prowess this term has, at least, seemed to convince Sarina Wiegman of her brilliance in the number nine role, with the Harrogate native having been categorised as a forward in the England boss’ latest squad.
However, with the Lionesses having to contend with a raft of defensive injuries, Daly may well see herself recalled to England’s back-line in the summer.
Keira Walsh
Walsh became the most expensive player in the history of the women’s game when she secured a move to Barcelona last summer, and her performances for the Catalan club have certainly warranted the £400k price tag.
Her importance to this England side was clearly exhibited in the Euro 2022 Final; Walsh picking out Ella Toone with a sublime pass to get the Lionesses off the mark at Wembley.
And Wiegman will certainly be hoping for more of the same when her side travels Down Under in just two months' time.
Georgia Stanway
Like Walsh, Stanway has also been plying her trade overseas this season, having joined Bayern Munich from Manchester City in the summer transfer window.
Her performances in the middle of the park have helped put the Frauen-Bundesliga side on the brink of a fifth league title, and keeping her fit is a must if England are to go all the way at this summer’s tournament.
Fran Kirby
One of England’s most technically-gifted players, Kirby has been out of action since picking up an injury in Chelsea’s Continental Cup semi-final against West Ham in February.
Despite initial reassurance from Emma Hayes that Kirby should be “all right”, the 29-year-old has now been ruled out of the World Cup and is set to undergo surgery on her knee.
So often the creative spark for the Lionesses, Kirby will prove difficult to replace. However, the form of Manchester United’s Ella Toone - who netted the opening goal in the Euro 2022 Final - means the Chelsea midfielder does at least have a capable deputy.
Beth Mead
Beth Mead’s brilliance was exemplified by the fact she was named Player of the Tournament at last summer’s EUROs, having registered six goals and five assists on England’s crusade to victory.
However, the 28-year-old has been out of action since November, when she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament during Arsenal’s WSL defeat to Manchester United. Having successfully undergone surgery to rectify the issue, Mead has been vocal about her hopes of potentially making the squad for this summer’s World Cup.
On Thursday, Mead revealed she was “ahead of schedule” in her recovery but conceded the final decision would be down to Sarina Wiegman. Considering the Dutchwoman admitted earlier this year it would take a “miracle” for Mead to be ready for the summer, it’s unlikely the Arsenal forward will be risked.
Lauren Hemp
The emergence of Chelsea winger Lauren James and impressive form of club teammate Chloe Kelly means Hemp hasn’t always featured in the starting XI for England post-Euros.
However, the 22-year-old’s talent cannot be overstated and, with Fran Kirby’s absence leaving somewhat of a creative void in the middle of the park, Hemp could well prove to be the spark that ignites England’s attacks from out wide.
Ellen White
When White announced her retirement from professional football in August 2022, she departed as England's top female goal scorer with 52 international goals to her name.
With that statistic in mind, it’s little wonder that the former Manchester City striker - who welcomed her first child last month - is proving tricky to replace.
Alessia Russo, a super sub at last summer’s Euros, has emerged as the likeliest candidate to inherit the number nine shirt long-term. However, the prolific form of Rachel Daly has given Wiegman something to think about, with Tottenham striker Bethany England also impressing in front of goal since the turn of the year.
