Steph Houghton stays OUT of England’s Euro 2022 women’s injury squad, but coach Sarina Wigman has chosen Fran Kirby – who hasn’t played since February – for a home tournament this summer.
- Sarina Wigman reduced England from 28 to 23
- Steph Houghton, who was captain of the 2019 World Cup, was missed
- Wigman described the call to abandon Houghton as a “really difficult decision”
- Niamh Charles, Katie Zelem, Lucy Staniforth and Sandy MacIver are the other unfortunate players who miss a place in the final team
- However, there is room for Fran Kirby – who has not played since February
By Catherine Bate for Mailonline
Posted: 17:01, 15 June 2022 | Updated: 18:58, 15 June 2022
Sarina Wigman acknowledged that the departure of English legend Steph Houghton from her 23-man squad for the Women’s Euro was a “really difficult” decision, but insisted the veteran defender was “simply not ready to compete”.
Houghton faced a race against time to be ready for the tournament this summer after undergoing surgery for an Achilles’ injury in February. She joined the 28-member squad last month, but failed to prove her worth.
The 34-year-old is the captain of the Lionesses in their last three tournaments and has played 121 games, but Wigman has left no room for sentiment.
Sarina Wigman has left English legend Steph Houghton out of the squad for the Euro
Houghton has 121 games, but Wigman left no room for mood in his choice
“It was a difficult decision, but I don’t think she’s ready to compete. We made a plan with her and for her and she did everything she could and we supported her as much as possible. She went into training in a very good place, but I’m just not ready to compete in my opinion. It’s just a matter of time and we don’t have that time.
“It was really hard, it was hard for every player we have to disappoint. But, of course, she is just such a great player, she had such an impact on England’s game and she did everything, but other players did everything too.
DURING ENGLAND
GOALKEEPERS: Mary Earps, Ellie Robak, Hannah Hampton
DEFENDERS: Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Rachel Daly, Alex Greenwood, Demi Stokes, Lotte Wubben-Moy.
RECEIVED: Fran Kirby, Jill Scott, Georgia Stanway, Ella Town, Keira Walsh, Leah Williamson (C)
Forwards: Beth England, Lauren Hamp, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Nikita Paris, Alessia Rousseau, Ellen White.
“I think she needs a rhythm and she needs time to play. Usually, when you upgrade, you have two or three games to build in minutes, but everyone is different. Everyone reacts differently, some come back quickly, others take longer.
Wigman admitted it was a difficult conversation with the former England captain, who said last week she was ready to return.
“Of course she was really disappointed and I know she did everything she could to keep her from being happy. She just took the arguments I gave her and we left it for now and we’ll get back to you later.
“You respect each other and have frank, honest conversations. Yes, of course it’s emotional, but the best thing is to give honest answers and give football arguments and convey it.
“She has a lot of experience, but we have other players on this team who can share experience with the team, so that’s only the 23rd.”
Wiegman has a history of making bold decisions. While the manager of the Netherlands at Euro 2017, she missed her captain Mandy van den Berg after their second group match and she did not participate again until the final – where she made a short two-minute cameo.
Niamh Charles, Katie Zelem, Lucy Staniforth and Sandy MacIver are the other unfortunate players who miss a place in the final team.
However, there is room for Fran Kirby – who has not played since February due to fatigue-related illness.
There is room for Fran Kirby, who has not played since February due to fatigue-related illness
Lea Williamson from Arsenal will be the captain of England at the tournament on home soil this summer
“She is doing well. She’s been training for a while, she’s been camping with us, she’s been training and playing practice games and she’s ready to compete. ‘
Jill Scott also joined the team, although he has not played since March. Chloe Kelly, who returned from an ACL injury in April, has yet to play under Wigman, but her form for Manchester City at the end of the Women’s Super League season proved to be enough to seal her place.
England face Belgium in their first warm-up match against Moline tomorrow night before the next matches against the Netherlands on June 24 and Switzerland on June 30.
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