Georgia Stanway really is back! Lionesses midfielder makes first start in seven months as Alex Greenwood also returns to England XI for crucial Nations League clash with Spain

Stanway's last start came way back in December when she turned out for Bayern Munich in their Champions League group stage defeat to Arsenal, with the midfielder undergoing knee surgery a month later that ended her 2024-25 season extremely early. She was, therefore, a doubt for England's European Championship campaign this summer. However, after playing 15 minutes off the bench in Friday's win over Portugal, Stanway was declared fit enough to start for Tuesday night's clash with Spain and was chosen to do so by head coach Sarina Wiegman.

There is more positive news, too, as Alex Greenwood is also in that starting XI. It's the first time she has started for the Lionesses since November, with her having to have knee surgery of her own the following month. The defender was able to make a return to action before the 2024-25 season ended, playing three times for Manchester City, and that has allowed her to build up her fitness to the point of a return to the England line-up.

Stanway and Greenwood are among three changes made by Wiegman from the 6-0 thrashing of Portugal, with the other being another returnee. A knock ruled Alessia Russo out of that game but she leads the line in Spain, with Ella Toone also recovering from a small niggle to be on the bench. Russo's appearance is her 50th for England.

The Lionesses must beat Spain in order to reach the Nations League finals, which will take place later this year. Regardless, after Tuesday's game, the focus will switch entirely to this summer's Euros, set to begin on July 2. Wiegman will name her squad for the tournament on Thursday.