England boss Wiegman explains Parkinson call up and gives update on duo’s fitness | OneFootball

Sarina Wiegman says 17-year-old Erica Meg Parkinson was left “speechless” after being told that she had been selected for the England senior side.

Parkinson, who plays for Valadares Gaia in Portugal, has been called up for the World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Iceland.

“We’re a little bit low in depth in midfield with the injuries to Ella (Toone) and Grace (Clinton),” Wiegman explained when asked about the decision.

“We have to look at whose next and Erica has done well with the Under-23s. She’s a very dynamic, attacking midfielder who wants to get forward. She’s also very aggressive and pretty technical.

“It’s a big step to go to the senior level but she gets the opportunity to see where she stands at our level.”

Leah Williamson has also been called up for the squad despite missing out for Arsenal of late through injury.

“She had some small setbacks, but overall, she’s doing really well,” Wiegman said.

“And when she plays, she’s playing really well. We have been careful with her, so has Arsenal, and mainly she is really, really on that too. So I think she’s going to make it.

“I think I would put her in the squad anyway [if it was a friendly], because I think she’s in a good place and she’s building, and the niggle she picked up is not the worst, but it just takes a little bit time. We just need to be careful with her.”

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Wiegman is also confident goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck will be available despite picking up an injury for Aston Villa in their game against Chelsea.

“Yeah she went out,” Wiegman said. “So she’s going to be assessed over the next couple of days.

“It didn’t look too bad, and you see how the next couple of days go. But we are confident, and so is Ellie, and so is the club, that it takes a couple of days and then she’ll be fine. That’s what we expect.”

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