Goalkeeper Earps withdraws from England squad with hip injury | OneFootball

Goalkeeper Mary Earps has pulled out of the England squad with a minor hip injury.

The Football Association confirmed the news via an official media update this morning.

Earps sustained her injury in the first two minutes of England’s latest UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 qualifier against France at St James’ Park on Friday night. After initially receiving medical attention on the pitch, she had to be replaced by Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton. England went on to lose the match 2-1, a result which now leaves their automatic qualification hopes in limbo with three games to go.

It has been reported that Earps’ injury has now been assessed further and it has been confirmed that she will not be fit to feature for The Lionesses in the return fixture against France in Saint-Étienne on Tuesday night. Birmingham City goalkeeper Lucy Thomas will step up to replace Earps in the squad after initially being drafted in on a standby basis.

England will go into their latest qualifier against France in third position in their qualification group. The Lionesses will need a high points return from their final three matches to avoid a UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 qualification play-off. England haven’t won in France in more than 50 years.