Arsenal star and Lionesses captain Leah Williamson back in England squad for Euro 2025 qualifiers

The England squad for the upcoming Euro 2025 qualifiers against Sweden and the Republic of Ireland has been given a boost with the return of captain Leah Williamson.

The Arsenal vice-captain suffered an ACL injury last year, and only returned to action for her club side in January.

Now the Lionesses skipper, who had to pull out of the February meet with injury, is back in the team as the current European champions look to qualify for the defence of their crown, when Williamson led them to glory in 2022.

They will host Sweden on April 5 at Wembley before travelling to Dublin on April 9 to face Ireland.

England were also drawn alongside heavyweights France in what should be a tightly contested group.

Sarina Wiegman did not confirm whether Williamson will retain the captaincy, something that in February she said she will talk to all the players about.

Elsewhere in the squad, there is no place for Chelsea centre-back Millie Bright, who has own knee injury, but Millie Turner of Manchester United, who came in for Williamson in February, is once again included.

She is in the squad ahead of United team-mate Maya Le Tissier, who misses out, as does another Red Devil, their leading scorer Nikita Parris.

As expected, the only non-WSL players are Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh, who are both at Barcelona, as well as Georgia Stanway, who is with Bayern Munich.

Rachel Daly of Aston Villa is the only player currently under contract at a team outside the WSL’s top five.

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

Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Millie Turner (Manchester United), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Tottenham, on loan from Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Jess Park (Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona)

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

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