England boss Sarina Wiegman has explained her decision to omit Manchester United defender Maya Le Tissier from her 23-player World Cup squad.
Le Tissier joined United from Brighton last summer and has been a standout performer in the Women's Super League this term, helping the Reds to a second-place finish. She earned her first senior England call up last November, making her debut in a 1-1 draw with Norway.
Wiegman announced her squad for this summer's showpiece tournament in Australia and New Zealand on Wednesday, with Le Tissier not making the final cut. However, the England boss confirmed the 21-year-old will join the group in travelling to Australia for the final preparation phase of the tournament, remaining up to England's opening match against Haiti on July 22.
"The last week was a little stressful we had to make hard decision, it's nice for the ones that are in and not nice for those who aren't," Wiegman said, reflecting on her squad selection.
"[Le Tissier] was really close [to being selected], she will train with the team. That was a hard call, like all the defenders we had to think about and she didn't get there with the 23.
"We also see her more as a right back, at club she plays as a centre back, she has had a very good season but this is the choice we made."
Manchester City forward Jess Park has also been omitted from Wiegman's squad but, like Le Tissier, will travel with the group to Australia. The 21-year-old has spent the season on loan at Everton and scored just 79 seconds into her England debut in November.
However, she has been sidelined for the past month with a shoulder injury and has been undergoing treatment in a race to be fit for this summer. Manchester United goalkeeper Emily Ramsey, who has also spent the season on loan at Everton, has missed out on a place in the squad but will train with the squad at St George's Park before they depart to Australia.
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