Wiegman pleased to see WSL aces get more game time, but says selection for Lionesses duty is not guaranteed
SARINA WIEGMAN warns there are no guaranteed Lionesses spots after leaving Bethany England and Jordan Nobbs out before this month’s Arnold Clark Cup.
And the head coach believes it is “too early” to consider a World Cup campaign without Beth Mead.
Nobbs, and Tottenham ace England, 28, are the notable top tier stars absent from the Lionesses chief’s 26-strong group.
Nikita Parris, 28, Lucy Staniforth and Hannah Hampton, 22, also missed out.
However the squad announcement does see Laura Coombs, 32, make her return to the international fold for the first time in just over two years
And Coombs’ call-up comes on a day the Manchester City midfielder signed a new two-year deal with the club.
Wiegman’s squad selection comes just over a month after former Blues striker England sealed a Tottenham transfer from Chelsea.
It was a switch that reportedly saw her become the WSL’s most expensive British player.
The 2019-20 PFA Women’s Player of the Year moved in search of a new challenge and more minutes before this summer’s World Cup.
Prior to joining Spurs, England had made two starts in eight WSL appearances for the Blues this term.
Since her transfer she has netted twice in three games across all competitions.
Goals include a clinical finish against her old club during Tottenham’s 3-2 loss to the league title-holders on Sunday.
And Nobbs and Staniforth, both 30, sealed Aston Villa switches last month which has seen them notch up three starts in the three top-tier games for their new club.
Matches that saw Villa register one win and two draws including first WSL point against Man City.
When asked why the trio were not in the squad, Wiegman, 53, said: “They’re competing for selection and they’re in a good place.
“They’ve moved to clubs and they’re playing a lot more now, getting settled and that makes it good for competition.
“But you can’t control what your competitors (for England places) do, or what choice I will make together with my technical staff.
“And that’s the situation they’re in right now.
“We can at least see now where they are at, how they are improving and what their situation is
“And then we look at how their competitors do and then we make a choice.
“Yes, it’s good they get minutes, that makes their position better, but that doesn’t guarantee that you’re being selected.
“They have to compete with the others too.”
England, who are the winners of last year’s Arnold Clark Cup, take on the Korea Republic, Italy and Belgium in the Arnold Clark Cup in this year’s contest.
When asked if it would be difficult for players to make it to the squad if they are not playing at the tournament, Wiegman added: “Everyone has to prove herself.
“But we’re going to try out some things and see some more players that we might not have seen a lot before.
“Everyone has to show consistency in their performances, so it’s not set in stone now.
“But it’s of course a big step forward because we (will have played three games).”
Wiegman’s player picks ahead of the Arnold Clark Cup sees City ace Laura Coombs receive her first national squad call-up since November 2020.
The selection caps off the Kent-born midfield ace’s resurgence on the pitch.
The in-form player, who made just six WSL starts last term, has emerged as a first-team regular for Gareth Taylor,
This season Coombs has made 12 starts in the 12 top tier games City have played so far this season.
Wiegman added: “Laura has shown so much consistency with Man City.
“She’s in midfield but can also play a little higher and a little deeper. We need a little more of that balance in midfield.”
The Lionesses will be without the services of Beth Mead when they play the Korea Republic, Italy and Belgium this month.
The Arsenal forward is currently recovering from a knee injury that saw her rupture her anterior cruciate ligament last November.
And in January, the Gunners star revealed her mother June had “passed away peacefully” after “a long and brave battle against ovarian cancer”.
Wiegman believes it is too soon to consider a World Cup campaign with the Lionesses without Mead.
The Lionesses head coach added: “It’s a little early to say, but I don’t want to push it.
“She’s had so many things going on in her life.
“We’ll see you know, how her recovery goes and rehab goes.”
Wiegman’s squad picks sees skipper Leah Williamson make her first international return after missing last November camp due to injury.
Fran Kirby, Jess Carter, Lauren Hemp and Lucy Bronze are also back following their returns to fitness and action at club level.
And shot stopper Emily Ramsey has been called up for senior England duty for the first time in her career.
The Man United goalkeeper starlet, on loan at Everton this season, is yet to be capped.