Leah Williamson and Laura Coombs return to the squad for this month’s Arnold Clark Cup
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England captain Leah Williamson and Manchester City midfielder Laura Coombs return to the squad for this month’s Arnold Clark Cup… while United’s Nikita Parris has no place among the forwards.
Laura Coombs has been included in England’s 26-man squad for this month’s Arnold Clark Cup.
The two-capped Manchester City midfielder, who signed a two-year contract extension with the club on Tuesday, returns to the England fold having last been involved in November 2020 and last played for the team. in 2015.
Uncovered goalkeeper Emily Ramsey, on loan to Everton from Manchester United, is also called up, and Chelsea defender Jess Carter is called up.
There is no place among the forwards for United’s Nikita Parris, or Bethany England following her January move from Chelsea to Tottenham.
Laura Coombs has been included in England’s 26-man squad for the Arnold Clark Cup
Midfielder Jordan Nobbs, who moved from Arsenal to Aston Villa last month, is not included, along with Everton’s Gabby George and City’s Esme Morgan.
Captain Leah Williamson is back from injury, as are Lucy Bronze, Lauren Hemp and Lotte Wubben-Moy, and Fran Kirby is back from illness. Beth Mead is missing due to her ACL injury.
European champions England, who won the inaugural Arnold Clark Cup a year ago, open this campaign and their 2023 games by playing South Korea in Milton Keynes one week on Thursday.
The Lionesses then take on Italy in Coventry three days later, followed by Belgium in Bristol another three days after that, as they continue to build towards the summer World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
England boss Sarina Wiegman said: “The first camp of the year is always important to set the right tone for what comes after, especially with such a big opportunity in the summer.
“We just look forward now and we have to stay humble and focused on working hard. We know the fans will be with us again and we can’t wait to see them in all the stadiums.
‘We had a positive experience with the Arnold Clark Cup last time. We had three difficult games with different challenges in each one, and we were able to learn a lot from our performances and work on many details that we intend to do again.”
More to follow…
