England have encountered another major blow to their hopes of defending the European Championship title this summer after the vice-captain, Millie Bright, withdrew from contention for the tournament in Switzerland next month on the eve of Sarina Wiegman naming her final 23-player squad.
Bright said the decision “is the right thing for my health and my future” and it is understood her teammates have been sending her their full support for prioritising her mental and physical health. Nonetheless, the decision is a big setback for Wiegman before the defence of the trophy England won three years ago, coming swiftly after the news of the retirements from international football of Mary Earps and Fran Kirby. All three players started every game of the Lionesses’ run to Euro 2022 glory, along with Rachel Daly, who retired from England duty last year, and the centre-forward Ellen White, who hung up her boots altogether after that triumph, meaning only six of the starting side from that historic success could be involved this time around.
