Lauren James injury blow for Lionesses! Chelsea star to sit out England’s Women’s Nations League double header with Belgium

The Chelsea star will play no part for the Lionesses as they seek to keep themselves in contention for another continental crown. Sarina Wiegman’s side opened their Nations League campaign with a victory over Scotland and defeat to the Netherlands.

They are now set to face Belgium at the King Power Stadium in Leicester on Friday, before taking on the same opponents at The King Power At Den Dreef Stadium in Leuven next Tuesday. Wiegman has plenty of talent at her disposal for those fixtures, but James will not form part of her plans.

Wiegman has told reporters when asked for an update on her squad heading into two crucial contests: “Lauren is not ready. She won't be ready for Tuesday also. She picked up a concussion and as you know we have to be really careful and follow the protocol so it's just too short for the upcoming two games.”

James formed part of the England squad that made the final of the 2023 Women’s World Cup and has made 18 appearances for her country, scoring four goals. Cover will now be required against Belgium, with the likes of Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Jess Park competing for attacking berths alongside strikers Alessia Russo and Rachel Daly.