Lucy Bronze back in England team to face Iceland | OneFootball

UEFA Women’s European Championship Qualifier England V France at St James Park Stadium, Newcastle, England 31st May 2024

St James Park Stadium, England 31st May 2024: Lucy Bronze (2) for England during the UEFA Women’s European Championship Qualifier between England and France at St James Park Stadium in Newcastle, England 31st May 2024 | Photo: Jayde Chamberlain/SPP. Jayde Chamberlain/SPP (Jayde Chamberlain/SPP)

Lucy Bronze returns to the England starting line-up as they face Iceland at the City Ground, Nottingham, for a Women’s World Cup qualifier.

She was named on the bench against Ukraine on Tuesday – but is back in from the start, with Arsenal’s Taylor Hinds retaining her place on the other side of the defence.

She will win her 145th England cap.

Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier – who Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman has hinted is a long-term option at right back – drops to substitute.

Washington Spirit’s Esme Morgan comes in to the centre of defence alongside captain Leah Williamson, with Lauren James slotting in ahead of Laura Blindkilde Brown.

Grace Clinton, who missed out on Tuesday’s matchday squad, is named on the bench.

Alex Greenwood has withdrawn from the camp due to a minor muscle injury.

England coach Wiegman: We want to perform at the highest level

Ahead of the match, Wiegman reflected on the selection decisions she has to make, saying: “We selected 25 players also because we want to see players and also because of this reason. We know we can only have 23 in the squad when we go into a game. You want to perform at the highest level, you want to manage players too and we also know that football is a physical game, so things can happen.

“But I also know that the players are ready to go, to start or to come on the pitch and with some, I have to make some decisions together with staff to manage some minutes too.”

Full England line-up: Hannah Hampton, Lucy Bronze, Taylor Hinds, Keira Walsh, Leah Williamson (c), Esme Morgan, Lauren James, Georgia Stanway, Alessia Russo, Jess Park, Lauren Hemp.

Subs: Maya Le Tissier, Anna Moorhouse, Lucia Kendall, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Poppy Pattinson, Chloe Kelly, Grace Clinton, Aggie Beever-Jones, Laura Blindkilde Brown, Ellie Roebuck, Jess Carter, Freya Godfrey.