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Wiegman Puts Faith in Young Stars Amid Injury Challenges for England Women

England head coach Sarina Wiegman has expressed confidence in the next generation of talent as the Lionesses face a challenging international break, with several key players unavailable due to injury.

Senior squad regulars Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone, and Lauren James are all sidelined, with Hemp recently undergoing successful knee surgery. Chelsea’s Niamh Charles and Aston Villa’s Lucy Parker are also unavailable, forcing Wiegman to delve into the under-23 ranks for reinforcements

Two promising players, Manchester City midfielder Laura Blindkilde Brown and Leicester City defender Ruby Mace, both 21, have earned their first senior call-ups.

Speaking at a press conference, Wiegman said:

“This is an opportunity to bring young players into our environment and see how they perform. They are very talented, and I hope they compete straight away. It’s a chance for them to show their potential at the highest level.”

Wiegman acknowledged the competitive nature of club football, particularly in Manchester City’s midfield, but highlighted Blindkilde Brown’s progress:

“Competition at club level is really tough, but Laura gets minutes and has done very well with the under-23s.”

As for Ruby Mace, Wiegman praised her adaptability and readiness to take on this new challenge, emphasizing the importance of giving young players exposure during the two upcoming friendlies against the United States and Switzerland.

Despite the setbacks, Wiegman’s optimism shines through as she aims to maximize the opportunities these games provide to test the squad’s depth and resilience.