Lauren Hemp opens up on “frustrating” injury issues ahead of return to action for England | OneFootball

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England star Lauren Hemp has opened up on her “frustrating” injury problems after returning to the Lionesses squad following an ankle injury.

Hemp missed over a month’s worth of action after suffering an ankle injury during Manchester City’s 5-1 win over Tottenham on September 19th.

She has returned with a bang, scoring in victories over Manchester United in the WSL and Nottingham Forest in the Women’s League Cup this month.

Hemp suffered a knee injury last season, which limited her to just 13 appearances across all competitions. However, she did return in time to play for England at Euro 2025.

She could play her first England game since the Euro 2025 final, when the Lionesses meet China at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Lauren Hemp opens up on injury problems ahead of England return

Lauren Hemp admitted that it has been a “frustrating” start to the season after the England star suffered an ankle injury with Manchester City.

However, she returned in fine form with an excellent display against Manchester United.

The 25-year-old is back with the Lionesses, and spoke to the media during a press conference on Tuesday.

She said: “I’m not going to lie, it’s been very frustrating, and obviously it was this time last year where I had my first knee injury.

“Obviously, I tried my hardest to get fit for the Euros, which I did and had that crazy couple of months at the Euros. I was hoping that when the season started to get a bit of consistency.

“Unfortunately, that wasn’t to be, and I was out with my ankle, but what I want to focus on is being back fit and getting that consistency back in my game. Building it up slowly and getting back into form, which I was pre-knee injury.

“It’s so nice to be back fit for a couple of club games before coming back to camp. It’s been great to be back in the team environment. As players, it’s the hardest thing being injured, very gruelling gym sessions, but it’s all worth it when you get back playing.”

Hemp on “difficult” sags involving Mary Earps and Hannah Hampton

During her press conference, Hemp was also asked to give her opinion on the saga involving Mary Earps and Hannah Hampton.

Earps, in her new autobiography, criticised England manager Sarina Wiegman for “rewarding bad behaviour” by recalling Hampton to the England squad in 2023.

The comments from the former England No.1 has been spoken about by former England players including Eni Aluko, Farah Williams and Anita Asante.

Hemp said: As players, you want to stay in your own bubble and as professionals, we’ve all got our own experiences. We all have disagreements so it is important that through everything we win together and lose together.

“We are trying to look forward but it has been difficult to see what has been going on. For me personally, I’ve been out a little while, so my full focus has been on trying to get back fit and trying to help the squad as much as I can. But naturally, you do see things like this.

“I want to support both of them. It must be hard for both of them with the experiences they’ve had, but as a team, we’ve discussed that our full support goes to both.”