Lionesses squad: Arsenal star Leah Williamson returns after swift recovery from hamstring blow as Esme Morgan surprisingly makes cut ahead of Maya Le Tissier

Williamson was called up by Sarina Wiegman for England's February camp, having made her return from a devastating ACL injury the month before, but had to withdraw from the squad due to a slight hamstring issue. Almost a year on from her last Lionesses appearance, she will hope things go a little more smoothly this time around and that she can play a part as Wiegman's side begin their qualifying campaign for the 2025 UEFA Women's Euro with games against Sweden and Ireland.

Manchester United defender Millie Turner was called up when Williamson withdrew in February and made her debut in the win over Italy, after largely being on the fringes of the England team throughout her career. Following some strong recent performances, though, Turner has the rare honour of being included from the off this time around and it is instead her club-mate Le Tissier who makes way for Williamson. Esme Morgan, meanwhile, makes the cut despite not starting a game for Manchester City since November.

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Man Utd), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Man City)

Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Man City), Esme Morgan (Man City), Millie Turner (Man Utd), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Tottenham, on loan from Man Utd), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Jess Park (Man City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Man Utd), Keira Walsh (Barcelona)

Forwards: Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Lauren Hemp (Man City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Man City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)

Wiegman said: "There’s no time to waste. February’s window showed who we are and where we want to go and we’ll look to continue that momentum from the minute we arrive at St. George’s Park next week.

“We know it’s a challenging [qualifying] group, but it’s really exciting. These are all big games that will test us and that’s the kind of fixtures we want to play in. Every opponent we face is a top nation and we know we have to perform at our best to achieve our goals. We’ll be ready for Sweden at Wembley."

Williamson was made England captain by Wiegman ahead of the Euros in 2022 but recent comments from the Lionesses' boss have suggested she may be rethinking that honour as the Arsenal star returns. "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," she said in February. "We'll probably revisit that and have a conversation first with the group."

The Lionesses play Sweden at Wembley on April 5 in their first game of this Euro qualifying campaign, before making the short trip to Dublin to face Ireland on April 9.