World Cup captain Millie Bright has been recalled to the England squad for the first time since October after recovering from a knee injury.
Bright, 30, who led England to the World Cup final last summer, missed more than five months of the season but was named in coach Sarina Wiegman’s 24-man squad for the Euro 2025 qualifiers.
She joins the team with Chelsea teammate Aggie Beever-Jones, 20, who replaces striker Rachel Daly after she announced his retirement of international football in April.
Beever-Jones had a great season at Chelsea, scoring 11 goals in 15 Women’s Super League matches.
The England under-23 forward was called up to the senior squad to replace the injured Chloe Kelly in February’s 7-2 friendly win over Austria, but did not play.
Wiegman also named a waiting list that includes Manchester United’s Maya le Tissier, Liverpool’s Missy Bo Kearns, Southampton’s Kayla Rendell and Tottenham’s Jess Naz.
The Lionesses, who hope to defend their European title in Switzerland next year, host France at St James’ Park on 31 May before traveling to Saint-Etienne on 4 June.
Wiegman will take the same team to Norwich to face the Republic of Ireland on 12 July before heading to Sweden on 16 July.
‘Missing’ Daly, but Bright returns a ‘boost’
It is the first time Wiegman has failed to select Daly and the England squad admitted they were “already missing her” following her surprise retirement in April.
“Rachel and I had many conversations before she made the decision. She’s a great person and she’s a lot of fun to work with,” Wiegman said.
“It’s reality now and we have to move on. It’s very strange not to have her in the cast. I think it’s powerful that she said ‘OK, this is where it ends for me now.'”
Bright’s return is a huge boost for Wiegman as she will be able to choose her starting centre-back pairing – Leah Williamson and Bright – for the first time since February 2023.
“It seems like a long time. I’m very happy, she’s very happy. She returned to play after a long period of injury and rehabilitation,” Wiegman said.
“It’s a big boost. This is what [Bright] has worked for. We all hoped she would come back sooner, but she needed more time and we are happy she can come back now.”
‘Clarity’ for players in ‘intense season’
England are currently second in their qualifying group, behind France by two points, following a draw with Sweden and a win over the Republic of Ireland last month.
“After an intense season, we wanted to give players clarity and help them prepare in the best way possible, with a balance between performance and well-being as a priority,” said Wiegman on naming a squad for the next two international windows. .
“We have had good conversations with the clubs and are grateful for their cooperation and support in helping the players to be fresh, fit and ready for two international matches at the highest level.”
In addition to finding physical balance, Wiegman says they can learn methods for dealing with mental pressures, as she reflected on Mental Health Awareness Week.
Asked if she had a message for people who may be struggling, Wiegman told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Don’t keep it to yourself. People don’t see when they’re struggling mentally.
“You can see when someone breaks their legs, it’s very obvious, but those [mental] things are not obvious. If you are having difficulty, seek help.
“Talk to people who can support and have knowledge and experience about this. When we relate this to sport, you can train how to deal with things. But I would say get the support that is there.”
England team:
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton, Khiara Keating
Defenders: Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Esme Morgan, Millie Turner, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy
Midfielders: Grace Clinton, Fran Kirby, Jess Park, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh
Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo
Wait: Kayla Rendell, Maya le Tissier, Missy Bo Kearns, Jess Naz
