Jordan Nobbs ruled out of Women's Euros but two key England players could return

England midfielder Jordan Nobbs has been ruled out of this summer's Women's Euros with a knee injury, but former captain Steph Houghton and influential forward Fran Kirby may both yet still be fit for July's tournament.

For Arsenal playmaker Nobbs, the news is another cruel blow after she similarly missed the 2019 World Cup because of a knee injury. On that occasion, the now 29-year-old underwent surgery on her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) around six months before the World Cup.

This time, with just 50 days to go until the Euros begin on July 6, a low-grade knee ligament strain has seen Nobbs miss out. It is understood she should be fit in time for Arsenal's pre-season training later this summer, but not quite early enough to be named in England head coach Sarina Wiegman's provisional squad of 28 players.

However, Manchester City centre-back Steph Houghton - who has missed most of the season with an achilles problem - will be given more time to prove her fitness, having been named among Wiegman's initial 28.

Houghton has not been able to make an appearance so far in Wiegman's tenure, since the former Netherlands coach took over last September, but she is believed to be on track for a recovery that could see her involved in July.

Chelsea forward Fran Kirby has not played since February, after suffering with fatigue, but she was deemed fit enough to make the bench for Chelsea for Sunday's FA Cup final at Wembley, and she is included in the provisional 28-player squad too. Jill Scott has also had injury issues in recent weeks but Wiegman has named her in the squad to give her a chance to work on her fitness.

Fit-again Manchester City winger Chloe Kelly is also in the squad, while Manchester United midfielder Lucy Staniforth comes in instead of Nobbs and Everton goalkeeper Sandy MacIver has joined the 28 as fourth goalkeeper.

Analysis: The four questions facing Wiegman ahead of the Euros

Wiegman will trim her squad down to a final 23 ahead of the tournament, and is expected to name that 23 in around three weeks time in the second week of June, before the Lionesses' warm-up friendlies against Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland later in June.

The vast majority of her 23 will be known by now, if key players stay fit, because her selections have been pretty consistent over the past season, but there are four key questions remaining as the head coach seeks to cut her squad down from 28 to 23.

Will Houghton be fit?

Houghton is an hugely influential figure in the English women's game and had been a stalwart of this season before suffering her achilles injury initially in September, and given her lack of league football this term, selecting her for the Euros could be seen as a risk.

However, the respect with which Houghton is held within the group, and what she may also bring off the field in terms of experience and guidance, could be invaluable.

She is believed to be on target, with a recovery programme, but it could be touch-and-go as to whether she can play by the start of July. If she is ruled out, Arsenal centre-back Lotte Wubben-Moy could get the nod instead.

Will Kirby be risked?

Fran Kirby is one of England's most dangerous threats going forward, and one of the continent's best players when fully fit, but has not played since February because of a prolonged and undiagnosed fatigue problem.

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said Kirby looked in good shape ahead of the FA Cup final, albeit she ended up being an unused substitute as Chelsea won in extra time.

Many will feel that, if there's a chance Kirby might be able to play in July, she should definitely be in the 23, but Wiegman will want to be certain that there could be no dangers of impacting Kirby's health long-term, as she'll want to protect her for the future too.

Who will bolster the midfield ranks?

With Jordan Nobbs ruled out through injury, it is likely that two of the following three midfielders will go to the Euros: Jill Scott, Katie Zelem and Lucy Staniforth. They must each now seek to impress Wiegman ahead of the squad being trimmed in June.

Keira Walsh, Leah Williamson, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone are all surely certs for the team, but it is though squad and substitute spots in midfield that are up for grabs, and there won't be room for everybody.

Scott, on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester City, offers the added benefit of much greater experience, aged 35, and was part of the England squad that reached the final of the Euros back in 2009.

Could Chloe Kelly pip Nikita Parris to a spot in the final 23?

Not long ago, the idea of Nikita Parris potentially being dropped by England would have felt unthinkable as she was such a regular and important part of the side, especially around the 2019 World Cup.

However, this season she has scored just once in 18 league games for Arsenal, starting only five of them, and has not been able to find the form in an Arsenal shirt that fans have been so used to seeing from the former Lyon star.

Manchester City's Chloe Kelly, back to full fitness after a lengthy ACL injury, has now been selected by Wiegman for the first time, having netted twice in her past six appearances for the club. It could prove to be a straight shootout between the two of them for one of the winger slots in the final 23.