Jordan Nobbs England 2023Getty Images

How England's Lionesses should line up vs Colombia in 2023 Women's World Cup: Jordan Nobbs deserves her chance with Lauren James suspended

Another game, another selection dilemma for England head coach Sarina Wiegman. Lauren James' red card in the Lionesses' Women's World Cup last 16 victory over Nigeria, on penalties, has thrown up another problem for her to solve as the European champions prepare to face Colombia in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

"I have never experienced so many problems," she admitted after Monday's match. "But, of course, that's my job to think of things that can happen in a game, or in a tournament, or ahead of a tournament. You try to turn every stone and already think of the solution before it happens."

What solution will she come up with, then, to replace James? The Chelsea star shone as a winger against Denmark and then as a No.10 in the victory over China, the latter role coming in a new 3-5-2 set-up.

With her suspended, will Wiegman persist with the new system? Will she switch back to 4-3-3? Who will come into the team? Will there be any other changes? GOAL takes a look at how England should line up...

  • Mary Earps England 2023Getty Images

    GK: Mary Earps

    A pretty simple one. With three clean sheets in four games, and having only conceded from the penalty spot, Earps has been one of the best performing goalkeepers at this tournament.

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  • Lucy Bronze England Women 2023Getty

    RB: Lucy Bronze

    For various reasons, Wiegman should revert back to the 4-3-3 set-up for this game and therefore Bronze should return to an orthodox right-back role.

    Colombia are particularly strong out wide and the way Nigeria carved England open with ease down the flanks in the 3-5-2 system, exploiting the space left behind the wing-backs, was cause for concern. A back four should be less exposed, especially with two hard-working wingers in front of the full-backs.

  • Millie Bright England Women 2023Getty

    CB: Millie Bright

    One of few players who came out of the Nigeria game with any credit, Bright did well to help keep the Super Falcons' lively attack at bay and she'll face another tough task on Saturday in trying to stifle a versatile and confident Colombian front line.

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  • Alex Greenwood England Women 2023Getty

    CB: Alex Greenwood

    One of England's best players at this tournament, Greenwood has played three different roles already and has been impressive in all of them.

    She should partner Bright in a back four for the quarter-finals, able to show her quality in possession while her ability to read play and position herself well will help the Lionesses quieten the Colombia attack.

  • Jess Carter England Women 2023Getty

    LB: Jess Carter

    Arguably, Carter's biggest strength as a player is her one-v-one defending. It makes sense, then, to move her to left-back for this game - where she could be matched up against Real Madrid's teenage phenom Linda Caicedo.

    She may not offer a great deal going forward in the role, with it unnatural to her, but Carter's strong positioning and timing in the tackle would be ideal against Colombia's wingers. That she won't be too adventurous on the attack will probably help to stop England from being exposed on the counter as much, too.

  • Keira Walsh England 2023 Women's World CupGetty

    CM: Keira Walsh

    Another reason why it makes sense to revert back to 4-3-3 is because the 3-5-2 system simply did not work very well with Keira Walsh back in the team.

    As perhaps England's best player, it's no surprise that her team-mates were so keen to give her to ball as often as possible against Nigeria. However, that she was in a holding midfield role in front of a back three, and being pressed brilliantly by the Super Falcons, meant she couldn't get into any positions to really influence play positively.

    A change in system can get the best out of Walsh again.

  • Georgia Stanway England 2023Getty Images

    CM: Georgia Stanway

    Switching systems would also benefit Stanway. The Bayern Munich star has to play a deeper role in the 3-5-2 set-up and it limits her attacking game, which is her strength.

    Moving back to a midfield three and giving her a bit more licence to roam would be wise.

  • Jordan Nobbs England Women 2023Getty

    CM: Jordan Nobbs

    So, how do England replace the suspended James? There are not a ton of options that Wiegman has in midfield.

    Ella Toone hasn't shown great form at this tournament, while Manchester United team-mate Katie Zelem is a holding midfielder. That leaves Laura Coombs and Jordan Nobbs, unless the coach wants to trial a new No.10.

    Nobbs can play any role in midfield - whether she's deployed as another No.8 with Stanway or as a No.10 - and deserves to come into the team. She's got tons of experience at the highest level, so being brought into the XI for a World Cup quarter-final will not phase her, and she is arguably one of England's most talented players.

    She's not seen a minute of action yet, though. Could that change this weekend?

  • Chloe Kelly England 2023Getty Images

    RW: Chloe Kelly

  • Rachel Daly England Women 2023Getty

    ST: Rachel Daly

    After a brilliant display against China, Alessia Russo struggled again when England took on Nigeria and it's time to give Daly a shot in the No.9 role at this tournament instead.

    The most in-form goal-scoring forward in the Lionesses' squad, Daly's high energy pressing, clinical finishing and aerial ability should make her difficult for Colombia's solid defence to deal with.

  • Lauren Hemp England Women 2023Getty

    LW: Lauren Hemp

    With electric pace and a wicked delivery, Hemp - and Kelly - can provide quality service for Daly in the box. James' suspension means Wiegman doesn't have a lot of choice out wide now but the Man City duo have a great relationship and she should try to maximise that.

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