Mary Earps England 2024Getty

Mary Earps starts! England goalkeeper back in the Lionesses XI for the first time in five games as Lotte Wubben-Moy suffers 'setback' ahead of South Africa clash

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Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Earps makes first England start since May
  • Lionesses lost 4-3 to Germany on Friday
  • Wiegman reacts with eight changes to line-up
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Head coach Sarina Wiegman has made wholesale changes after Friday's defeat to Germany, with eight tweaks to the line-up which lost 4-3 in a shocking defensive display at Wembley. That starts in goal where Earps is in for the first time since the 2-1 defeat to France in May, which the Paris Saint-Germain shot-stopper limped out of after just a few minutes.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Alex Greenwood, Chloe Kelly, Grace Clinton, Jess Naz and Jess Park are the other names who come into the team as England welcome South Africa for another friendly on Tuesday night, with the likes of Lucy Bronze, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo dropping to the bench.

  • WHAT WIEGMAN SAID

    Speaking to ITV about the plethora of changes, Wiegman explained: "We have two friendlies. We're getting ready for the Euros next summer and it's an opportunity to try out lots of things and to see many players, and that's what we're going to see tonight."

    Asked if Earps has a point to prove with her first start in five games, she replied: "Well, everyone has a point to prove every night I think. You want to show consistent levels all the time and tonight, she is going to do that."

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Despite some worrying early season form, Leah Williamson keeps her place, thus marking the Lionesses captain's 50th appearance for her country. There's not such good news for Wubben-Moy, her Arsenal team-mate, though. The defender has had what England described as a 'minor setback' within her return to play protocol and misses Tuesday's game.

  • Hannah Hampton Mary Earps England training 2024Getty Images

    WHAT NEXT FOR EARPS AND ENGLAND?

    Ahead of next summer's European Championships, Earps remains in an extremely close battle for the Lionesses' No.1 shirt with Hannah Hampton and will be keen to take this opportunity, especially after there were some questions about her fellow goalkeeper's performance on Friday against Germany.

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