Time for Liverpool to cash in on Anfield icon Salah

Why Chelsea want Athletic Club's 'incredible' winger Williams

Reyna unable to lift Forest amid wasted chances in Man City loss 

Miami ratings: Messi's rampant run continues with two goals

Pulisic completely locked down as Weah impresses for Juve 🔒 

Conte is back! Ex-Chelsea boss set to return to management 

'Who's playing?' - Lehmann asks FC 24 fans in 'Be Brave' kit

Wrexham's Mullin admits PL 'pipe dream' as he talks transfer

Walker's wife sends strong 'stay away' message to mistress

Man Utd fans FUME as Ten Hag rules out 2024-25 title challenge

FC Porto vs Sporting CP: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

Reynolds' 'huge' message after Wrexham end season in style

USMNT's Sargent scores again as Norwich have playoffs in sight

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Earps among subs for Lionesses versus Ireland</li><li>Hampton wins just fourth senior cap</li><li>England boss Wiegman explains why</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

'It's not an injury' - Mary Earps' rare Lionesses absence explained as Hannah Hampton starts for England against Ireland

For just the second time in the past year, Earps is among the substitutes for the Lionesses as Hampton, who started when she was rested in February, has been given the nod instead for the 2025 UEFA Women's Euro qualifier against Ireland.

WHAT HAPPENED?

<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/watch-out-mary-earps-emma-hayes-right-chelsea-goalkeeper-hannah-hampton-best-world-lionesses-no1/blt83e2f61fea72d916" target="_blank">Hampton's excellent form for Chelsea has led to much debate over the goalkeeper position for England, with many feeling that her performances for club have warranted more opportunities for country</a>. Wiegman has clearly been impressed too, explaining that Earps' place on the Lionesses' bench is "not down to an injury."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Speaking to ITV ahead of Tuesday's game, Wiegman said: "I think we're in a very luxury position that we have two incredible goalkeepers. As we have seen [with] Mary [on] Friday, she did an incredible job, but I also think that Hannah's doing a great job with Chelsea, she's growing into competition with Mary so this is a moment for her to shine."

WHAT WIEGMAN SAID

Hampton was part of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/football-came-home-wiegman-and-england-s-lionesses-win-the-women-s-euros-and-become-immortal-at-wembley/blt03e1306009078090" target="_blank">England's European Championship-winning squad in 2022</a> and the 23 that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/spain-queens-world-football-winners-losers-aitana-bonmati-england-lioneeses-lucy-bronze-world-cup-final/blt04b557c79149dd42" target="_blank">reached a maiden Women's World Cup final</a> last summer, too. However, her appearance against Ireland will be just her fourth for the Lionesses.

DID YOU KNOW?

Hampton will hope that this latest opportunity is the first of many more for her country as the competition to be England's No.1 intensifies. Earps, meanwhile, will be keen to show that she deserves to remain first-choice both in her performances for the Lionesses and Manchester United.

WHAT NEXT FOR EARPS AND ENGLAND?

'It's not an injury' - Mary Earps' rare Lionesses absence explained as Hannah Hampton starts for England against Ireland | Goal.com US

Mary Earps&apos; absence from the Lionesses&apos; starting XI for Tuesday&apos;s clash with Ireland has been explained by England boss Sarina Wiegman.

Editors' Picks