Lionesses Boosted by Ella Toone's Return Ahead of Key World Cup Qualifiers
England manager Sarina Wiegman expressed optimism about Ella Toone's return from injury as the Lionesses prepare for crucial Women's World Cup qualifiers next month. Toone, a midfielder for Manchester United, joins the national squad for the first time since November after recovering from a hip injury that kept her out for the latter part of the season. Wiegman noted that Toone "looks good" and anticipates her playing a role in securing qualification with at least a draw against Spain in Majorca on 5 June. Wiegman stated, "It’s nice she is back and of course she’s called up, so it’s good to have that option in midfield." However, she cautioned that decisions on playing time remain pending, emphasizing, "We haven’t made decisions on the starting line-ups and minutes yet... Can she play 90 minutes at the highest level? I don’t know, but I know she can play." Lucy Bronze, despite a foot injury, is also included in the squad. Wiegman acknowledged some players may lack match fitness but remains confident in their abilities. "There are a couple of players who haven’t played that many minutes... I still think they’re the best players." The 25-player squad will face Spain, the current world champions, with a draw being enough for qualification. England boasts a perfect record of four wins in four qualifiers so far and will face Ukraine four days later. Wiegman emphasized a proactive approach, stating, "We want to go out there and play to win." The Lionesses aim to improve their performance after previous outings, making their intentions clear as they head to Majorca.
Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-05-19