Sarina Wiegman names provisional England women squad for Euro 2022, Steph Houghton returns
England women, Steph Houghton returns for provisional Euro2022 squad
As the Lionesses prepare for the European Championships this summer, Sarina Wiegman has named her first provisional squad for the tournament.
With just 50 days remaining until the start of the 2022 European Championships, England women's manager Sarina Wiegman named her first provisional squad on Tuesday afternoon.
The squad consists of 28 players, and notably includes former captain Steph Houghton, after the 34-year-old recovered in time from an achilles injury she suffered back in February.
The squad
Goalkeepers:
Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Aston Villa), Sandy MacIver (Everton), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City)
Defenders:
Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
Midfielders:
Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Jill Scott (Aston Villa on loan from Manchester City), Lucy Staniforth (Manchester United), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Katie Zelem (Manchester United)
Forwards:
Beth England (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Manchester United), Ellen White (Manchester City)
Ahead of naming her final #WEURO2022 squad in June, Sarina Wiegman has selected 28 players to join up with the #Lionesses in two weeks' time.
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) May 17, 2022
Let the preparations begin ?
Wiegman will be hoping the striking duo of Beth Mead and Lauren Hemp can help fire the Lionesses to victory, after the pair enjoyed a stunning Women's Super League campaign this season.
Mead managed an impressive 11 goals and eight assists for Arsenal as the Gunners fell just short of the title. Hemp also ended the season as Manchester City's top scorer, after netting 10 goals and registering a further six assists.
The return of Steph Houghton brings some invaluable experience to the squad, with the Manchester City captain boasting 121 caps for England during her glistening career.
England start their Euro 2022 campaign with a group stage match against Austria, before rounding off the group with matches against Norway and Northern Ireland.
