Leah Williamson England 2022Getty
Ameé Ruszkai

Leah Williamson is BACK! Lionesses & Arsenal star set to start against Ireland in first England appearance since ACL injury nightmare

Lionesses star Leah Williamson is set to make her first England appearance in almost a year on Tuesday as Sarina Wiegman's side take on Ireland.

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  • Williamson set to start against Ireland
  • Will be her first England appearance in almost a year
  • Lionesses star recently returned from ACL injury

  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Williamson suffered a devastating ACL injury last April, one that sidelined her for nine months and forced her to miss England's run to the World Cup final in Australia. However, she is finally set to play for her country again this week.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    The Arsenal defender was hoping to make her return to the international stage in February but a hamstring problem ruled her out of the Lionesses' two games. She was back in an England squad on Friday though, as an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw with Sweden, and is now primed to set foot on the pitch for her country for the first time since last April.

  • WHAT WIEGMAN SAID

    Asked in her pre-match press conference if Williamson will start Tuesday's UEFA Women's Euro qualifier against Ireland, England boss Wiegman confirmed as much.

    "I think what Leah brings is, of course, vision, in possession she's just very bright and finds the right pass, and the flexibility, the defence, being able to defend the space behind her together with everyone else, because defending doesn't just start with one player, it starts with the team," she said. "That's what I hope Leah will bring to the team tomorrow."

    Asked if it will be an emotional occasion for her, Williamson said: "It will be. It was emotional on Friday for me. I'm an emotional person. We've all seen me cry on many occasions. But yes, it was emotional Friday even, because if there's a team that you want to be in in the world, I think the Lionesses would be up there. I just love playing for England."

  • Keira Walsh Leah Williamson England Women 2023Getty

    DID YOU KNOW?

    When Williamson returns to action for England on Tuesday, it will be two days short of being a year to the day since her last appearance for her country. That came in a 2-0 friendly defeat to Australia, which was the Lionesses' first loss under Wiegman.

  • WHAT NEXT FOR WILLIAMSON AND ENGLAND?

    Williamson will hope she can help her nation return to winning ways, as the Lionesses bid to bounce back from Friday's disappointing draw with Sweden in their qualifying campaign opener.