England return ends in fitness frustration for Leah Williamson as Euro 2022-winning captain withdraws from squad & Lionesses draft in replacement

The Arsenal defender was recalled by Sarina Wiegman after bringing her ACL injury nightmare to a close. Williamson has returned to domestic action in the WSL, but was forced to sit out a crunch clash with Manchester United on Saturday with a hamstring complaint.

She was expected to drop out of the latest England squad, and that decision has now been confirmed. As a result, Williamson – who has not represented her country since damaging knee ligaments in April 2023 – will not form part of the 23-strong party heading to Spain for a training camp and friendly fixtures against Austria on February 23 and Italy four days later.

With Williamson no longer available, her place in the England squad has been filled by Manchester United defender Millie Turner – who did figure in the Lionesses’ final selection of 2023 but is yet to win a first cap at senior level.

Turner will provide able cover for Williamson, but Wiegman is now short on leadership at the back with stand-in skipper Millie Bright of Chelsea also missing through injury. She has been out of action since November with a knee problem of her own.