Chloe Kelly back in England squad for Nations League fixtures | OneFootball

Chloe Kelly and Lucy Parker have joined the England squad for the upcoming UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures against Portugal and Spain.

The pair replace Arsenal’s Beth Mead and Lotte Wubben-Moy who have both withdrawn with injury.

Kelly, who recently rejoined former club Arsenal from Manchester City on loan, was initially omitted from Sarina Wiegman’s squad over concerns about lack of playing time.

The forward had fallen out of favour at City and made a public plea before the end of the transfer window to be allowed to leave the club.

When the squad was announced last week, Wiegman said: “[Before], she had built some credit, but over that time she has played less minutes. [Now at] Arsenal, get some minutes in, start playing and showing what you’re about and then we can revisit that again.

“We had a good conversation and she understands. She’s not out for the Euros. When she gets back and she’s in full training, of course. Hopefully she’ll get the minutes as soon as she can show again and then as I said we’ll revisit it. And there’s huge competition going on in the team.”

Discussing her omission from the squad, Kelly added: “I’m ready to fight for my shirt back. I’m ready to get good training and good minutes under my belt and be at the best possible come the summer.

“To play in this Arsenal shirt – I have high hopes for this next six months and I’m really excited now.”

She made her second debut for the Gunners in yesterday’s north London derby, coming off the bench in Arsenal’s 5-0 victory over Spurs.

The 24-women squad joined up at St. George’s Park this morning before flying to the Algarve for their opening UEFA Women’s Nations League fixture against Portugal on Friday 21 February.

The Lionesses then face Spain at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday 26 February.