England announce squad for USWNT & Czech Republic friendlies

Sarina Wiegman has named her England squad ahead of the Lionesses' October friendlies with the USWNT and Czech Republic.

Fran Kirby and Chloe Kelly return, having missed out on the squad in September through injury, and Lauren James is selected again after an impressive start to the 2022/23 WSL campaign.

There are first England senior call ups for Everton's Jess Park and West Ham's Lucy Parker, while the uncapped Esme Morgan is recalled for the first time since a leg fracture curtailed her 2021/22 campaign.

There is still no place for former captain Steph Houghton, who missed out on a Euro 2022 spot and a place in England's September squad after making her comeback from Achilles surgery. Wiegman had been in the stands at Kingsmeadow on Sunday to watch Houghton's Manchester City beaten 2-0 by Chelsea.

Manchester United's Nikita Parris, Chelsea's Beth England and Arsenal pair Lotte Wubben-Moy and Jordan Nobbs have also not been called up. The quartet are yet to start in the WSL this season.

Aston Villa's Hannah Hampton is the only other available member of England's Euro 2022 squad who also misses out, with Sandy MacIver selected in her place.

England face the USWNT at Wembley on Friday 7 October. The fixture pits the European champions against the world champions, and sold out within 24 hours.

The Lionesses then return to Brighton's Amex Stadium - which played host to their two memorable Euro 2022 victories over Norway and Spain - on Tuesday 11 October.

England squad announcement

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), Sandy MacIver (Manchester City).

Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Lucy parker (West Ham).

Midfielders: Georgia Stanway (Manchester City), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Katie Zelem (Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Chelsea).

Forwards: Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Manchester United), Ebony Salmon (Houston Dash), Jess Park (Everton).