There are still a number of fitness issues for Sarina Wiegman to consider while she mentions her team of 23 players for Euro 2025 on Thursday.
The biggest question mark remains about Lauren James. The Chelsea wing player has been sidelined since April with a hamstring injury and is confronted with a race to be fit for this summer's tournament.
If she has the chance to be fit in Switzerland at a certain moment, you would imagine that James will be selected in the team of 23 players, that is her influence. She is one of the most creative talents in England, able to unlock a stubborn defense with a flick of her foot.
But if there are real question marks about her fitness and availability, is it worthwhile to take with you what is essentially a spectator when another player can be selected who can also have an impact?
Wiegman was regularly asked for James during the recent Nations League campaign, but would not be attracted by her plans. She will probably give the 23-year-old every opportunity to prove her fitness.
Before he stood opposite Spain, Wiegman said: “She tries to get fit with all the support of Chelsea and from us. She is really doing well and we are going ahead.
“She has to tick some boxes and if she does, we can make progress, then that is very good because we think she can make a difference with the euros.
“But she must be healthy, recover and perform at her highest level. I am pretty positive that it will work.”
James played in all matches of England at the World Cup 2023, except one, abuse by the suspension for the semi -final victory against Australia and scored three goals in the competition.
The attacker would be a more than welcome addition and option, but if she doesn't make the team, the lionesses don't have too little creativity. Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead are all brilliant Wingers, while Alessia Russo is expected to be the start no. 9 of England.
The will of Jess Park, Grace Clinton and Ella Toone – although a little further back in midfield, where James can also operate – are also more than able to contribute in the future.
Hemp in particular offered a timely memory of her bravery against Portugal. Especially in the first half she was spectacular, burst over the left wing time and time again and left helpless defenders in her wake.
It closed her return to action after surgery for an ACL in November. She played for Manchester City by the end of the season and played 90 minutes against Spain on Tuesday.
Alex Greenwood, another absent long -term injury, also played the full game in Barcelona, ​​after she had her England return as a replacement against Portugal.
With Millie Bright who announces her withdrawal from the Selection of Euro 2025, Greenwood will probably start. She was one of the best players in England at the 2023 World Cup and played in every game.
In contrast to Hemp and Greenwood, Georgia Stanway did not play for her club towards the end of last season. Her replacement appearance in Wembley on Friday was her first performance since December. She underwent knee operation a month later.
She played the first half against Spain and noted her recent minutes at 60 and it secures her far from the starting place she was insured of in the past.
But England has no options for deeper midfielders, who plays in favor of Stanway. Clinton was used in the role and impressed in recent months, but she is demonstrably more comfortable in the NO10 role. However, the competition there is fierce, and her chance of minutes may be better than a NO8.
Wiegman will have to manage the minutes of all three returning players, in particular Stanway. Building up your fitness for a high level, competitive football takes time, with repetition of each injury a factor.
It will be interesting to see how she navigates that about the tournament and hopefully without other curveballs that are thrown into the comparison.
That said, there were omissions for tone and Russo against Portugal with small calf issues. Aggie Beever-Jones was the biggest benefactor, who aroused a hat trick in 33 minutes, although it is unlikely to expel Russo as a starter.
During the Euro 2022, Wiegman was lucky that there were no major injuries in the middle tournament and suspensions to deal with, and mentioned the same XI in all six games.
The World Cup 2023 was slightly more complicated, especially with Keira Walsh injured against Denmark, leaving Wiegman away from her usual 4-3-3 formation to a 3-5-2.
For this tournament, Wiegman will hope that all her riddles came before they touch in Switzerland – she certainly had a considerable part of success to deal with.
The last major check question – that of James' Fitness – will be resolved in the next 24 hours. Then it is on the Nitty Gruizy of her starting XI, who said Wiegman after Tuesday's defeat to Spain that she almost knew.
It has been a dramatic structure for the lion rates. Here is the hope that this will not be introduced to Euro 2025 while they want to defend their European title.