England squad for Women's World Cup confirmed with huge names absent from list
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Injuries have led to a number of regular started being dropped by manager Sarina Wiegman
England manager Sarina Wiegman has announced the Lionesses’ 23-player squad for this summer’s World Cup, with Beth Mead missing out.
Mead, who won the Euro 2022 Golden Boot winner and player of the tournament Mead, is still recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in November and misses out on a spot.
England Captain Leah Williamson and as well as Chelsea midfielder Fran Kirby are also not named in the 23-player squad as they both recover for injuries ahead of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier is another notable absentee on the list.
Sarina Wiegman said picking the squad had been 'really hard'
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Tottenham forward, Bethany England meanwhile is recalled into the squad after having not featured for the side since last September.
The striker makes the cut for Weigman’s squad on a decent run of form after scoring 12 Women’s Super League goals for Tottenham since joining them from Chelsea in January.
Explaining her squad decisions, Wiegman said: "It has been really hard."
She added: "We've seen lots of players, and they all work so hard, but you have to pick 23."
The Lionesses will play their first game of the World Cup in Group D against Haiti on 22 July and remain one of the favourites to win the tournament.
Sarina Wiegman said all her players work hard but she had to pick 23
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Full England Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Man Utd), Hannah Hampton (Aston Villa), Ellie Roebuck (Man City).
Defenders: Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal), Alex Greenwood (Man City), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), , Esme Morgan (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Laura Coombs (Man City), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Katie Zelem (Man Utd), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Jordan Nobbs (Aston Villa), Ella Toone (Man Utd).
Forwards: Lauren James (Chelsea), Alessia Russo (Man Utd), Bethany England (Tottenham), Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Chloe Kelly (Man City), Lauren Hemp (Man City), Katie Robinson (Brighton).