The England senior squad for February’s first two UEFA Women’s Nations League games has been announced with Chloe Kelly the most notable absence.

The Manchester City winger – on loan at Arsenal for the second half of the season – spoke out last month on social media about her parent club and her unhappiness at not playing.

Kelly’s last start came in October against West Ham United and the 27-year-old has only played 84 minutes across four games since.

England manager Sarina Wiegman said Kelly “has not played enough” and the situation “would be looked at again” when she starts playing again at Arsenal.

“We had a good conversation yesterday and she understands,” Wiegman said. “She’s not out for the Euros. When she gets back, she’s in full training of course and hopefully she can get the minutes. There’s a huge amount of competition in the team.”

Ella Toone, Lauren James and Niamh Walsh, meanwhile, all return to the squad after missing the November and December fixtures through injury.

England play Portugal – 22nd in the FIFA World Rankings – at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao on Friday, February 21 (7.45pm GMT) and will return to Wembley five days later for their match against Spain (8pm GMT). The Lionesses will look to get revenge in their first meeting with Spain since the inaugural Nations League winners beat them 1-0 in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.

England, Spain and Portugal are joined by Belgium, making up group A3 in League A.

Only the winners of each group will make it through to the semi-finals (played October over two legs) while the fourth-placed finishers in the groups will be relegated to League B.

The results of the Nations League will also determine the groups for the European qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

‘Absence of starters opens door for fringe players’

Once again England are facing a nervous build-up to an international tournament with injuries afflicting key starters. The absences of Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp, and Alex Greenwood deprive head coach Sarina Wiegman of three certain starters, but has opened the door for others.

There is a triumphant return for Nikita Parris who has long made clear her ambitions to make it back into the squad. Parris has not joined up with England since 2022 but her nine goals in 19 appearances for Brighton have obviously impressed.

The absence of Kelly comes as a bit of a surprise given the extreme effort she made to secure a loan move away from Manchester City where she had become a bit part player during the Champions League. Despite joining Arsenal on Deadline Day, however, she is yet to start for her new club having been cup-tied and unable to play against her parent team in recent fixtures.

But the biggest boost to England will be the return of James, who has not been part of an England squad since April last year due to injury. In a period where England have struggled with their attacking options, James has looked the most dangerous of them all, and Wiegman will hope that she can immediately slot back into the national team.

England squad in full

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (PSG), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride).

Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham FC), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Millie Turner (Manchester United, Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal).

Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Grace Clinton (Manchester United), Ruby Mace (Leicester City), Jess Park (Manchester City), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Chelsea).

Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Lauren James (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Jess Naz (Tottenham), Nikita Parris (Brighton), Alessia Russo (Arsenal).

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

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