Women’s Nations League: Fran Kirby back for England after knee surgery

Women's Nations League: Fran Kirby back for England after knee surgery
Women's Nations League: Fran Kirby back for England after knee surgery


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Chelsea midfielder Fran Kirby is back in the England squad for this month’s Women’s Nations League matches after recovering from injury.

Kirby, 30, had knee surgery in May and missed the Women’s World Cup.

She started her first game for Chelsea in eight months on Saturday, impressing in a victory over West Ham.

Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh also returns from a calf injury which ruled her out of England’s win over Scotland and defeat by the Netherlands.

The 26-year-old’s last appearance for the Lionesses was the World Cup final defeat by Spain in August.

Forward Beth Mead, who missed the World Cup with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, made her return for Arsenal in Sunday’s Women’s Super League victory over Aston Villa but is not selected.

Manager Sarina Wiegman has called up midfielder Grace Clinton and goalkeeper Khiara Keating for the first time as part of her 25-player squad.

Tottenham’s Clinton, on loan from Manchester United, scored a stunning goal in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Brighton, while Manchester City goalkeeper Keating has taken the number one shirt from Lionesses team-mate Ellie Roebuck this season.

Kirby and Walsh’s return sees experienced midfielders Laura Coombs and Jordan Nobbs drop out of the squad, while Villa’s Lucy Staniforth and Brighton’s Katie Robinson are also not included.

England play Belgium at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium on Friday, 27 October before travelling to Leuven to face the same opponents on Tuesday, 31 October.

More to follow.

Full England squad

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), Khiara Keating (Manchester City)

Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Lucy Parker (Aston Villa), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Tottenham, on loan from Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Katie Zelem (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona)

Forwards: Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Alessia Russo (Arsenal), Jess Park (Manchester City).



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