Wiegman hints Lauren James could start in England’s Euro 2025 opener in Switzerland | OneFootball

Sarina Wiegman confirms Lauren James “can play more than 30 minutes” in England’s first match of Euro 2025 against France.

The Lionesses face France in the so-called ‘group of death’, which also contains coch Wiegman’s former side Netherlands and home nation Wales, who are making their major tournament debut.

Ahead of Saturday’s match in Zurich, Wiegman insists James could play a role in the tough opening fixture, having only played 30 minutes since injury in April.

“LJ is in a good place,” Wiegman said. “As you noted she came on the pitch against Jamaica last week and she is ready to get more minutes against France.

“I’m not going to give you the line up but she played 30 minutes last week, so she can play more than that. I think that will say enough.”

James has been sidelined since April, playing her first match in Sunday’s pre-tournament friendly against Jamaica, where England won 7-0 in a convincing display.

She came on as a substitute in the 63rd minute, in her first minutes since her injury three months ago.

Speaking in Zurich ahead of Saturday’s fixture, Wiegman was feeling confident about the challenge that lies ahead as the team look to defend their 2022 crown.

“The team looks really good, we are ready,” Wiegman added. “I think we are very well prepared – the bonding in the team and we have worked really hard and we are ready to go tomorrow.

“For me it doesn’t feel that different [to the last Euros] because high expectations have always been there. We have high expectations of ourselves and always want to do well.

“You have to be best prepared, have the best game plans and be able to adapt. The team is in a really good place and we have worked really hard and will keep working hard and that’s what we can control.

“The team has been in a bit of a transition. We absolutely cherish what we have done before and will never forget it. It was a lifetime experience for us, our family and the fans but you have to move on.

“You have to be on top, things are changing very quickly, developing very quickly so we have to too. It’s a new challenge, and we called it the ‘new England’.”