UEFA Nations League

England without Keira Walsh, Beth England for Nations League fixtures

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 13 September 2023

Keira Walsh and Bethany England are ruled out of England Women's Nations League fixtures against Scotland and the Netherlands in September due to injury.

England Women head coach Sarina Wiegman has confirmed a 24-strong squad for the Lionesses' upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures.

The inaugural edition of the women's tournament will see England take on Belgium Women, Netherlands Women and Scotland Women in League A Group 1, where the winner will advance to February's finals.

England will commence their bid for Nations League glory against Scotland at the Stadium of Light on September 22, four days before a showdown with the Netherlands at the Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht.

As expected, Wiegman has selected almost every member of England's troupe from the recent World Cup, where the Lionesses reached the final for the first time before being beaten 1-0 by Spain.

However, Keira Walsh and Bethany England are notable absentees due to injury, while neither Beth Mead nor Fran Kirby have been deemed ready for a return to international football either.

Bethany England celebrates scoring for Chelsea in March 2022 © Reuters

Walsh memorably sustained a severe-looking knee injury against Denmark in the World Cup group stage, and there were concerns that the Barcelona midfielder had become the latest high-profile female player to sustain an ACL injury.

Walsh's problem did not prove as serious as first feared, but the 26-year-old has now picked up a minor calf injury, while Tottenham Hotspur striker England recently underwent surgery on a hip problem.

Meanwhile, both Mead and Kirby are starting to be re-integrated into the first team for Arsenal and Chelsea respectively, but September's matches come too soon for both players to be involved.

The four members of the England squad who earned nominations for the Ballon d'Or Feminin - Mary Earps, Rachel Daly, Millie Bright and Georgia Stanway - have unsurprisingly all made the cut.

"Keira [Walsh] has a small calf injury, just too short to come into camp, not major but she's not ready to play. Bethany England's is a little longer," Wiegman told reporters at a press conference.

England Women manager Sarina Wiegman reacts on July 28, 2023 © Reuters

"Of course we have taken injuries into consideration, Beth Mead was in the Arsenal squad, but she still has a while. Fran [Kirby] is really close, she's been playing some friendlies. I am looking forward to see them play but that will be after this international break."

With Walsh out of contention, Aston Villa's Lucy Staniforth - who did make the journey Down Under - is included, while fellow reserve Maya Le Tissier is also involved alongside Jess Park, who withdrew from the World Cup with an injury.

"They did really well. Of course they went with the team to Australia (on standby) so we were 25, they have been great team players," Wiegman said of Staniforth and Le Tissier.

"They were really good on the pitch too. They have had good preparations with their clubs. When the opportunity comes they'll be ready."

While the winners of Group A will progress to the four-team finals, the third-placed nation will enter the relegation playoffs, while the basement side will suffer immediate demotion to League B.