England boss ‘very happy’ about Chelsea star’s return ahead of ‘huge test’

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The Football Faithful

·14 May 2024

England boss ‘very happy’ about Chelsea star’s return ahead of ‘huge test’

England manager Sarina Wiegman has recalled Chelsea defender Millie Bright to the national team squad for the first time since October ahead of this summer’s Euro 2025 qualifiers.

The 30-year-old has missed five months of the Women’s Super League campaign through a knee injury, but recently returned to action for the Blues.

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“I am very happy, she is very happy,” Wiegman said at Tuesday’s squad announcement. “She has started paying again after a long period of injury. It is very good, she had two more games and then she will come into camp.

“It’s a great boost, this is what she has been competing for. We all hoped she would be back earlier but she needed more time.”

The Lionesses will play France in a double-header at the end of this month and early June, before taking on the Republic of Ireland and Sweden in July.

England find themselves two points behind group leaders France following a draw with the Swedes and victory over the Girls in Green. But Les Bleus pose the biggest challenge to Wiegmann’s team in the four-team pool.

“I think it is a huge test,” she said. “I think France have always played well. they are in a good place now too. It is a very physical team, lots of qualities and options We haven’t played them since I came in. I am excited, it is a different opponent.”

Bright captained England to the Fifa Women’s World Cup final in 2023, but with Arsenal’s Leah Williamson also returning to the squad after a lengthy injury layoff of her own, there is a question over who will wear the armband against France.

“I have to discuss things with the players first,” Wiegmann said of her pending decision. “We were swapping around a bit. Leah is our captain but we will probably keep doing that.”