Lionesses dealt injury blow as Lauren James is ruled out of Euro 2025 qualifier against France, with Spurs star Jess Naz called up to replace her

The Chelsea attacker has sustained a foot injury that will rule her out of Friday evening's match against France at St James' Park as well as the return match at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne on Tuesday.

James sustained the issue at the end of the domestic season, missing the final game of the season as Chelsea claimed the Women's Super League title. The 22-year-old pulling out has cleared the way for Tottenham forward Jessica Naz to take her place, meaning the 23-year-old could make her Lionesses debut in the coming week.

England head into the double header against France sitting two points behind Les Bleues in their group after two matches. Sarina Wiegman's team played out a draw with Sweden and beat Ireland 2-0 earlier in the competition and will hope to overtake their main rivals on Friday.

England are looking to defend the European crown they claimed when they hosted the tournament in 2022. They will hope to qualify as group winners to ensure they head to Switzerland next year as one of the favourites to win the tournament.