England Women's Squad Update: Lauren Hemp Returns, Lauren James Misses Out
Forward Lauren Hemp has made a comeback to the England squad after recovering from an ankle injury that kept her out for two months. However, Lauren James is not included in the squad. The Lionesses manager, Sarina Wiegman, has named a 25-player squad for the upcoming friendlies against China and Ghana. Uncapped defender Anouk Denton and London City Lionesses forward Freya Godfrey have received call-ups, while Manchester City midfielder Grace Clinton returns after missing the previous friendlies due to injury. Gotham FC defender Jess Carter is given time to recover from the NWSL play-offs, and Washington Spirit centre-back Esme Morgan is included despite playing in a recent match. Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton is sidelined with a thigh injury, and Euros star Michelle Agyemang is out with an ACL injury. Captain Leah Williamson, Alex Greenwood, and Katie Reid are also absent due to knee injuries. The squad includes goalkeepers Khiara Keating, Anna Moorhouse, and Sophie Baggaley, defenders Lucy Bronze, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Niamh Charles, Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Taylor Hinds, Grace Fisk, and Anouk Denton, midfielders Grace Clinton, Ella Toone, Georgia Stanway, Keira Walsh, Laura Blindkilde Brown, Missy Bo Kearns, and Lucia Kendell, and forwards Beth Mead, Chloe Kelly, Aggie Beever-Jones, Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp, Freya Godfrey, and Jess Park.