Chloe Kelly called up to England's Nations League squad as two players withdraw | OneFootball

Arsenal’s Chloe Kelly is one of two players called up to the England squad this week due to injuries.

Last Tuesday, Sarina Wiegman named her 24-player squad for the Lionesses' upcoming Nations League matches against Portugal and Spain. Kelly, who completed a deadline-day loan move from Manchester City to Arsenal last month, was a notable omission.

The 26-year-old played her first minutes for the Gunners in their WSL victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, a match they comfortably won 5-0. She replaced Caitlin Foord on the hour mark, playing the final 30 minutes of the game.

Now, she has been called up to replace her injured club teammate Beth Mead. Fellow Arsenal star Lotte Wubben-Moy has also pulled out due to injury, with Aston Villa defender Lucy Parker called up in her place.

The England squad joined up at St George’s Park on Monday morning and is set to fly out to the Algarve ahead of their opening Nations League game against Portugal on Friday. The squad will then return, ready to face Spain at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday, February 26.

A number of players have been recalled to the squad after injury problems of their own, including Chelsea’s Lauren James and Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone. Manchester City’s Laura Blindkilde Brown and Leicester City’s Ruby Mace also retained their places after being called up for the first time in the final camp of 2024.

Brighton’s Nikita Parris was also included, having made the move from United to Brighton last summer and impressed with the Seagulls. That being said, England will also be without key players Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood, all of whom are long-term absentees due to injury.