England captain Millie Bright has withdrawn from the squad for the must-win Nations League fixtures against Netherlands and Scotland because of a knee injury.
The Lionesses arguably need to win both games by comfortable margins to keep alive their hopes or reaching the inaugural Nations League finals and 2024 Olympics alive.
After suffering a crushing 3-2 loss to Belgium last time out, England have now lost two of their four games – their other defeat came against the against the Dutch at the end of September.
Bright missed Chelsea’s 4-1 win over Paris FC in the Women’s Champions League having missed the recent WSL fixture against Liverpool, with manager Emma Hayes confirming that the 77-cap international had aggrivated the knee problem that almost cause her a place in England’s Women’s World Cup squad.
The 30-year-old overcame the problem to help England reach the World Cup final, though Sarina Wiegman’s lost to Spain in a closely contested final.
With Leah Williamson still recovering from an ACL injury, England are without both of their first choice centre halves and the two players who have captained the side since Steph Houghton’s international career came to an end.
Manchester United’s Millie Turner, who is uncapped at senior level, has been called up to replace Bright.
England’s 23-player squad in full
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), Maya le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Millie Turner (Manchester United), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal).
Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Tottenham, on loan from Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Katie Zelem (Manchester United).
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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