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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Suffered ACL injury in April 2023</li><li>Returned to action at Arsenal</li><li>Turner asked to step in as cover</li></ul>

England return ends in fitness frustration for Leah Williamson as Euro 2022-winning captain withdraws from squad & Lionesses draft in replacement

The Arsenal defender was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/leah-williamson-england-lionesses-sarina-wiegman-squad-austria-italy/blt97b91b494bfed001#cs6d9c9f312062004e" target="_blank">recalled by Sarina Wiegman after bringing her ACL injury nightmare to a close</a>. Williamson has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/not-good-day-leah-williamson-return-arsenal-xi-ruined-lionesses-star-defeat-first-wsl-start-10-months/blt024941347409c822" target="_blank">returned to domestic action in the WSL</a>, but was forced to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/injury-leah-williamson-arsenal-lionesses-wsl-man-utd/blt7dd07a09e864b10f" target="_blank">sit out a crunch clash with Manchester United on Saturday with a hamstring complaint</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

She was expected to drop out of the latest England squad, and that <a href="https://twitter.com/Lionesses/status/1759276595947483489" target="_blank">decision has now been confirmed</a>. As a result, Williamson – who has not represented her country since damaging knee ligaments in April 2023 – will not form part of the 23-strong party heading to Spain for a training camp and friendly fixtures against Austria on February 23 and Italy four days later.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

With Williamson no longer available, her place in the England squad has been filled by Manchester United defender Millie Turner – who <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/neighbours-hate-me-man-utd-millie-turner-reaction-england-call-up/blt813c07b3b53ceafb" target="_blank">did figure in the Lionesses’ final selection of 2023</a> but is yet to win a first cap at senior level.

DID YOU KNOW?

Turner will provide able cover for Williamson, but Wiegman is now short on leadership at the back with stand-in skipper Millie Bright of Chelsea also missing through injury. She has been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/chelsea-emma-hayes-injury-update-england-millie-bright/blt9e33f20d18a1e312" target="_blank">out of action since November with a knee problem of her own</a>.

WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

England return ends in fitness frustration for Leah Williamson as Euro 2022-winning captain withdraws from squad & Lionesses draft in replacement | Goal.com

Leah Williamson’s return to the England fold has ended in fitness frustration, with the Euro 2022-winning captain forced to withdraw from the squad.