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Chelsea ace England set for Lionesses return with Wiegman to monitor Chloe Kelly’s comeback from injury

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SARINA WIEGMAN is keeping a watchful eye on Chloe Kelly’s comeback with the winger in line for a long-awaited return from injury.

The England chief insists the forward needs time to ease back into action with the Manchester City player in line for an appearance at West Ham.

Sarina Wiegman plans to keep a close eye on Chloe Kelly’s progress as she targets a return to match actionCredit: Getty

City’s trip to the Hammers’ turf could see the former Everton ace, 24, play her first match following a serious knee injury she suffered last May.

The England boss, 52, said: “We know how good Chloe was when she got injured, and what form she was in.

“She’s doing well at her club, there’s contact all the time (with them), but she hasn’t played a game yet (this season) and first she needs to start playing.

“She’s had a pretty tough injury with her ACL and she needs rhythm now.

“And that’s where it starts, playing at your club, getting consistency at your club level, and then you can take the next step.

“Hopefully she’ll get to her level that she’s capable of. That will probably take a little more time but, yes, we keep a close eye on her.”

Wiegman was speaking after naming her 24-strong squad ahead of the Lionesses’ World Cup qualifiers on the 8th and 12th of April.

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The team will face North Macedonia in the country’s Tose Proeski National Arena before a clash with Kenny Shiels side at Windsor Park.

The Lionesses have enjoyed a nine-game unbeaten run under their head coach including their triumph in the Arnold Clark Cup pre-Euros warm-up.

And Chelsea forward Beth England makes her return to the national side with club team-mate Fran Kirby currently out of action.

The striker is in red hot form bagging four goals in the league leaders’ last two games.

The Barnsley-born forward missed out on a spot in the Lionesses Arnold Clark Cup squad after sustaining an injury.

Wiegman added: “I’m really happy for her because she was struggling a little with her injury.

Beth England was named in Wiegman’s Lionesses squad after missing the Arnold Clark Cup due to injuryCredit: Reuters

“But then she came back and now gets more playing time for her club.

“Beth is doing well, you can tell she feels comfortable.

“Up front we have a lot of competition but it’s good to have competition. It’s a luxury to have such good players.”

England Squad

Goalkeepers

Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Aston Villa), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City).

Defenders

Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal) Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)

Midfielders

Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal) Jill Scott (Aston Villa on loan from Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Manchester City), Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Katie Zelem (Manchester United).

Forwards

Bethany England (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Manchester United), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Ellen White (Manchester City).

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

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