In a heartening comeback story, Fran Kirby, the talented Chelsea midfielder, is set to rejoin the England squad for this month’s Women’s Nations League matches after successfully recovering from a knee injury. The 30-year-old midfielder had undergone knee surgery in May, which led to her unfortunate absence from the Women’s World Cup. However, her return to the pitch has been nothing short of impressive, marking her presence by starting for Chelsea in their recent game after an eight-month hiatus and playing a pivotal role in their victory over West Ham.
England’s manager, Sarina Wiegman, expressed her delight at Kirby’s return, stating, “Of course, it’s very nice Fran is back on the pitch, and she’s fit and healthy. She has shown enough quality in her performance that I think it’s good she comes back into the team. She was really happy when I called her, and she’s good to go.”
But Kirby isn’t the only one making a triumphant return. Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh is also back after a calf injury sidelined her for England’s recent matches against Scotland and the Netherlands. Walsh’s last appearance for the Lionesses was in the World Cup final defeat by Spain in August.
While there are returns, there are also cases of players who are still on their journey back to full fitness. Forward Beth Mead, who missed the World Cup due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, has begun her recovery for Arsenal. She recently made her return in a Women’s Super League match against Aston Villa. Wiegman noted that Mead wasn’t quite ready for the national team yet, saying, “To be honest, [Mead] was not close. She is in a good place now but has been out for nine months. She had her first minutes which were nice to see, but she first has to build at the club, get that consistency back, and then we have an opportunity to select her.”
The additions to the squad also include midfielder Grace Clinton and goalkeeper Khiara Keating, both earning their first call-ups to the national team due to their stellar performances for their respective clubs. Clinton, on loan from Manchester United to Tottenham, recently scored a remarkable goal in a match against Brighton, and Keating, playing for Manchester City, has taken the number one goalkeeper position from her Lionesses teammate Ellie Roebuck this season.
Wiegman expressed her excitement about these rising talents, saying, “I want to see how they relate to the other players in the squad and for them to show what they can do. They performed really well. We saw them also in the U23s. Now at the highest level, they have shown performances. It’s exciting for them and good to see for us too.”
As new players enter the scene, there are also notable omissions. The return of Kirby and Walsh has seen experienced midfielders Laura Coombs and Jordan Nobbs dropped from the squad, along with Villa’s Lucy Staniforth and Brighton’s Katie Robinson. Wiegman attributed their absences to the fierce competition in their positions.
England’s upcoming matches in the Women’s Nations League will see them facing Belgium at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium on October 27, followed by a trip to Leuven to face the same opponents on October 31.
In the backdrop of these football developments, the safety of the team in Belgium has been a topic of discussion, especially after recent unfortunate events. About 400 Sweden fans spent the night in hotels under police protection following an incident where two Swedish people were shot dead in Brussels. This led to the abandonment of Sweden’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Belgium for security reasons. Speaking about England’s safety, Wiegman assured, “Of course, it’s an awful situation. Two people killed, very, very horrible. The Football Association has had conversations with the Belgium FA, and it’s all about safety. I feel safe enough to go there. There are conversations going on, and they will do everything to make us safe.”
With the return of key players and exciting new talents on the horizon, England’s Women’s Nations League journey promises to be an eventful one.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Kirby’s Comeback
What was the reason for Fran Kirby’s absence from the Women’s World Cup?
Fran Kirby missed the Women’s World Cup due to a knee injury that required surgery.
How did Fran Kirby’s return to the field go?
Fran Kirby marked her comeback with an impressive performance for Chelsea, playing her first game in eight months and helping secure a victory over West Ham.
Who else is making a return to the England squad?
Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh is also returning to the England squad after recovering from a calf injury that had kept her out of recent matches.
What about Beth Mead’s return to the national team?
Beth Mead, who missed the World Cup due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, has started her recovery journey by playing for Arsenal but is not yet considered ready for national team selection.
Who are the new additions to the England squad?
Midfielder Grace Clinton and goalkeeper Khiara Keating have earned their first call-ups to the national team based on their impressive performances for their clubs, Tottenham and Manchester City, respectively.
Why were experienced midfielders Laura Coombs and Jordan Nobbs left out of the squad?
Their omission from the squad was attributed to the intense competition in their positions as the returning players bolstered the team’s midfield options.
Is there any concern about the team’s safety in Belgium for the upcoming matches?
In light of recent unfortunate events in Belgium, England’s manager, Sarina Wiegman, expressed confidence in the safety measures in place for the team, assuring that the Football Association and the Belgium FA are focused on ensuring their safety during the matches.
More about Kirby’s Comeback
- Fran Kirby’s return to England squad
- Keira Walsh’s comeback after calf injury
- Beth Mead’s recovery journey with Arsenal
- Newcomers Grace Clinton and Khiara Keating
- Omissions of Laura Coombs and Jordan Nobbs
- Safety measures for England’s matches in Belgium
3 comments
who r Clinton & Keating, never herd of dem b4, but sounds gr8 if dey perform well!
great 2 c Fran Kirby bk in d squad! her knee injury was a real bummer, but now she’s back, whoop!
Terrible stuff happening in Belgium, but glad Wiegman feels safe for the matches. #SafetyFirst