Kirby and Walsh return to England squad for upcoming double-header against Belgium | OneFootball

Chelsea’s Fran Kirby and FC Barcelona’s Keira Walsh will return to England duty this month when the Lionesses face Belgium in a UEFA Women’s Nations League double-header.

FAWSL Full-Time were informed of England head coach Sarina Wiegman’s 25-player squad selection via an official press release from The Football Association this afternoon.

Chelsea midfielder Kirby has been sidelined for a lengthy period with a knee injury while Barcelona’s Walsh has recently been struggling with a minor calf problem. Both players are back in the England fold for this month’s international double-header.

In other squad news, Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating has been handed a first call-up, as has Tottenham Hotspur’s on-loan Manchester United midfielder Grace Clinton.

Speaking following her squad announcement, England head coach Wiegman said “It’s good for us to be back together. Obviously, we had a good start with the win against Scotland; however, the outcome of our last fixture against the Netherlands was disappointing. We will be fully-focused to perform well twice against tough opposition. Belgium’s results in the Nations League show they are talented side who can cause teams problems, so we will need to be at our best to get the results we’re looking for.

“The group is wide open, so every game is crucial. The squad have shown their ability to respond to setbacks and I’m sure this will be no different. We look forward to meeting up at St George’s Park next Monday and putting in the time to make sure we’re fully-prepared and ready to go twice in quick succession.

“Again we feel very fortunate to be playing in front of a sell-out crowd. The support we are receiving from all corners of the country is amazing, it isn’t something we’ll ever take for granted and it really gives us that extra lift. Hopefully, we can give them another night to remember.”

England will face Belgium at The King Power Stadium in Leicester on Friday 27 October 2023 before travelling to Leuven for the reverse fixture on Tuesday 31 October 2023.

England Squad

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City)

Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Lucy Parker (Aston Villa), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Tottenham Hotspur – on loan from Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Katie Zelem (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona)

Forwards: Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Jess Park (Manchester City), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)