Leah Williamson has returned from injury and been selected in the Lionesses squad for the first time since April.
Williamson (26) suffered an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury which sidelined her for nine months. She has not featured for England since April last year.
The Arsenal captain returned to action for her club in January, and has been eased back into playing time. She has made three appearances since her return, but she has yet to complete a full 90 minutes.
Her last appearance for England was almost a year ago in a 2-0 friendly defeat to Australia , who co-hosted the World Cup which Williamson missed out on after picking up the injury in the WSL against Manchester United. England made it all the way to the final, but fell at the final hurdle, losing to Spain.
England will face Austria and Italy in the upcoming international break. The games will be played in Spain on the 23rd and 27th of February as England begin preparations for next year’s European Championship.
Coach Sarina Wiegman said: “This camp is where the road to EURO 2025 in Switzerland begins. Playing against strong teams like Austria and Italy is just the preparation we need before we kick off our qualifying campaign in April. I am really looking forward to getting back on the grass with the squad.
“It is the first time we will be back together as a group since last year. Travelling away for this camp will give us a great opportunity to connect again on and off the pitch and allow us to give minutes to many players. Being in Spain with hopefully good weather and excellent facilities is the perfect setting for the work we need to do as a team to get us ready for another very important year ahead.”
England squad
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton, Khiara Keating
Defenders: Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Maya le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy
Midfielders: Grace Clinton, Fran Kirby, Jess Park, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh
Forwards: Rachel Daly, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo
