Chloe Kelly called into England squad after Beth Mead pulls out injured | OneFootball

The winger Chloe Kelly and defender Lucy Parker have been called up to England’s squad for the Women’s Nations League fixtures against Portugal and Spain, after the Arsenal duo Beth Mead and Lotte Wubben-Moy had to withdraw with injuries.

Kelly, who scored the winning goal in the final of Euro 2022, was left out of the squad because Sarina Wiegman said she “hasn’t played enough” to merit a spot.

The 27-year-old joined Arsenal on loan from Manchester City on transfer deadline day for the Women’s Super League and made her debut on Sunday as Arsenal won 5-0 in the north London derby at home to Tottenham.

Kelly had been seeking a move to secure more regular game time and said last Friday she had found her smile again after a difficult spell out of favour at her parent club. “When I’m at my best I have a smile on my face,” she said. “I’m a really resilient person so I’m ready for the fight again and I’m ready to show what I’m capable of again.”

Aston Villa’s Parker, 26, who is also capable of playing in defensive midfield, is uncapped at senior international level but earned her first Lionesses call-up in September 2022.

Kelly has 48 caps and has been a regular for much of Wiegman’s tenure, which began in 2021.

The details of Mead’s and Wubben-Moy’s injuries are yet to be specified. Wubben-Moy missed Sunday’s game because of a muscle injury and Arsenal’s head coach, Renée Slegers, said the defender was awaiting a scan. Mead was an unused substitute.

England’s 24 players are due to fly to the Algarve for Friday’s match against Portugal, before hosting Spain, the world champions, at Wembley next Wednesday.

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