Sarina Wiegman reveals Erica Meg Parkinson’s reaction to first England call-up | OneFootball

England manager Sarina Wiegman has revealed that teenage sensation Erica Meg Parkinson was left "speechless" after receiving her first call-up to the national squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The 17-year-old, who plies her trade for Portuguese top-flight side Valadares Gaia and was born in Singapore, has been named in the Lionesses squad set to face world champions Spain at Wembley on 14 April, followed by an encounter with Iceland in Reykjavik four days later.

With key midfielders Grace Clinton and Ella Toone sidelined due to injury, Wiegman opted to bring Parkinson into the fold. While the head coach does not anticipate the youngster immediately breaking into the starting XI, she views the camp as a vital learning opportunity.

Speaking at St George’s Park, Wiegman explained: "We called her up because we are a little bit low in depth in midfield with injuries to Ella Toone and Grace Clinton.

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Parkinson has been given her opportunity due to injuries to Ella Toone (left) and Grace Clinton (centre) (The FA via Getty Images)

“So we have to look at who’s next and Erica has gone through the pathway, plays in Portugal, has done well in the under-23s. She is a very dynamic midfielder who likes to go forward… aggressive, technical."

Wiegman added that Parkinson was "speechless she said, but very happy, surprised and excited of course."

She acknowledged the significant leap: "It’s a big step from the 23s and the Portuguese competition to go into the senior level but she gets the chance to show where she stands at our level.

“I don’t expect her to come into the starting line-up straight away. It’s a learning thing for her but I do hope she can adapt to the level needed in our senior environment."

Meanwhile, captain Leah Williamson has been included in Wiegman’s 23-player squad despite missing Arsenal’s last three matches with a hamstring injury. With two weeks remaining until the Spain fixture, Wiegman expressed confidence in the defender’s readiness.

She added: "Leah comes from the injury after the Euros, coming back she had some small setbacks but overall has done very well and when she’s played she has played very well. We have been careful with her and so have Arsenal.

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Wiegman expects Leah Williamson to be ready to play for England next month (Getty)

“I think she’s going to make it that’s why we put her in the squad. I would put her in the squad anyway because she’s in a good place. The niggles she’s picked up are not the worst but her past and where she’s come from, we have to be careful but friendlies I would’ve called her up anyway."

The squad announcement follows Fifa’s recent introduction of groundbreaking regulations, which mandate that every team participating in its women’s tournaments must employ a female head coach or assistant.

Wiegman commented on the new rule, stating: "We need to give women more opportunities to develop and educate. This rule supports and hopefully accelerates the balance between males and females in our sport."