Is Leah Williamson still Lionesses captain? Sarina Wiegman sparks confusion as she vows to 'revisit' who wears armband despite welcoming Arsenal star back into squad after long injury layoff

After nine months out with an ACL injury, Williamson made her return to the England squad when, on Tuesday, Wiegman announced who will travel to Spain for friendlies against Austria and Italy later this month. However, though she heaped praise on the player she made captain ahead of the Euros in 2022, the coach also said that Williamson isn't guaranteed to continue in that role as she makes her comeback.

"Of course, it's really nice to have her back because she's a very good player," Wiegman said of Williamson on Tuesday. "Even though she has been out for months, she's coming back and her decision making is just really good. I think the team picked up the last year very well, I think players stepped up, but it's really nice to to have her back."

Asked at the end of her press conference if Williamson will come back as the England captain, Wiegman responded: "I have to talk to the players first about that, so we'll come in, and it's also a new moment, we start again. We'll probably revisit that and have a conversation first with the group."

Wiegman's comments certainly did not imply that she planned to strip Williamson of the captaincy but they were somewhat unexpected. The England boss is likely considering the limited minutes that the Arsenal defender will play in her first camp back but, given she noted the contributions made by others in Williamson's absence, she could also be thinking about sharing the armband around the group, which is something that the United States women's national team does.

Millie Bright has been the main player to wear the armband in Williamson's absence, but the Chelsea star is currently sidelined with her own knee injury and is not going to be available for the February fixtures. Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood have also captained their country in the past.

England's first fixture this month will see them take on Austria on February 23. The Lionesses will then face Italy four days later.