England to take on Austria and Italy as Lionesses' first fixtures of 2024 and since Nations League heartbreak are revealed

The Football Association announced on Wednesday that Sarina Wiegman's side will travel to southern Spain for a warm weather training camp and the two friendlies, with Austria their first opponents on February 23 before Italy follow on February 27. Both games will be played at the Estadio Nuevo Mirador in Algeciras and will serve as preparation for England's Euro 2025 qualifying campaign, which will begin in April.

Wiegman said: "Playing two games against good opposition in Austria and Italy should be excellent preparation for another big year ahead. They are two good and different opponents who will want to start the year strong, too, so it will be important to come together again as a team and use these games to prepare for the qualification matches starting in April."

The Lionesses were last in action in December when they thought a thumping 6-0 win over neighbours Scotland had secured them a spot in the Nations League finals and thus kept their chances of sending Great Britain to the Olympic women's football tournament alive. However, a late goal for the Netherlands against Belgium saw the Dutch qualify instead, breaking England hearts in dramatic fashion.

England have played more games against Italy than any other nation, winning 11 of their 32 meetings, losing 15 and drawing six. Their record against Austria is much more favourable, with the Lionesses winning all nine of their encounters.

Wiegman will announce her squad for the games against Austria and Italy in the coming weeks, ahead of the international break beginning on February 19.