Women’s World Cup qualifiers: England’s Chloe Kelly and Fran Kirby out injured

Women’s World Cup qualifiers: England’s Chloe Kelly and Fran Kirby out injured

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Chloe Kelly
Chloe Kelly scored the winner for England in the Euros final against Germany at Wembley

Chloe Kelly, who scored the winner against Germany in the final of Euro 2022, has been ruled out of England’s first squad since their historic Wembley triumph with injury.

Chelsea’s Fran Kirby is also injured and coach Sarina Wiegman is without retired duo Jill Scott and Ellen White.

Arsenal midfielder Jordan Nobbs and Houston Dash striker Ebony Salmon come into the 23-player squad.

Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, a Euro 2022 squad member, has been left out.

Manchester City goalkeeper Sandy MacIver returns after making the longlist for Euro 2022, as does Manchester United captain Katie Zelem, and there is a call-up for Chelsea’s Lauren James.

England take on Austria and Luxembourg in their final qualifiers for the 2023 World Cup on 3 and 6 September, respectively.

Manchester City forward Kelly has a minor leg injury, of which Wiegman said: “It needs a little more time, it’s not too bad. I don’t think it will take too long.”

The England coach added that midfielder Kirby “hasn’t had much training at all” because of a foot injury.

Nobbs, who has 67 caps, was ruled out of the Euros after picking up a knee injury in May.

A draw in Austria or a win over Luxembourg will see the Lionesses clinch automatic qualification and mean they will then host a friendly against the USA at Wembley on 7 October.

Tickets for the fixture between the Euro 2022 winners and the World Cup holders sold out in less than 24 hours.external-link

Should England instead be involved in the two-legged World Cup play-offs in October, tickets can be refunded or exchanged for the home play-off leg, and the USA game will be rescheduled.

England’s success as hosts of Euro 2022 sparked a surge in ticket sales for the Luxembourg game in Stoke on 6 September.

More than 20,000 were sold in the first sale window, with all the remaining tickets being purchased last week.external-link

That means about 30,000 fans will attend the Lionesses’ first game on home soil since winning their first major trophy.

That victory over Germany at Wembley was watched by 87,192 – a record crowd for a men’s or women’s European Championship game.

England squad

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Sandy MacIver, Ellie Roebuck (both Manchester City).

Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Alex Greenwood, Demi Stokes (both Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy, Leah Williamson (both Arsenal).

Midfielders: Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Katie Zelem (Manchester United).

Forwards: Bethany England (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris, Alessia Russo (both Manchester United), Ebony Salmon (Houston Dash).



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