England’s Williamson withdraws from squad with fresh injury

England captain Leah Williamson has withdrawn from the Lionesses squad for March friendlies due to a hamstring injury and is to be replaced by Manchester United defender Millie Turner.

Williamson, 26, was due to return to the international scene for the first time since injuring her anterior cruciate ligament in April last year, but was ruled out after a fresh muscle injury saw her sidelined miss Arsenal's 3-1 win over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium. SATURDAY.

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Turner was included in England's final 2023 squad, but is yet to play for his national team.

Williamson led England to European Championship triumph in 2022, but her serious injury saw her miss the Women's World Cup. She made her return to the pitch in January in Arsenal's 6–0 win over Reading.

After this return, she started against West Ham in the WSL and Manchester City in the FA Cup. These friendlies would have been her first international match since helping the Lionesses win their Finalissime triumph in April 2023.

England play their two friendlies at the Estadio Nuevo Mirador in Algeciras, Spain. The first will take place against Austria on February 23, before meeting Italy on February 27.