Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp & Alex Greenwood all return to Lionesses squad after knee surgeries – but Lauren James misses out as England prepare for crucial Nations League climax

Lionesses star Georgia Stanway is one of several big names who are back in the England squad, despite not playing since December due to knee surgery.

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• England to play final two Nations League group games
• Can welcome back Stanway, Hemp & Greenwood
• But Lionesses star James misses out with injury

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Stanway is one of three Lionesses to have knee surgery this season, with Lauren Hemp doing so in November and Alex Greenwood just a month later. None have played for England since but are back in Sarina Wiegman's squad this month for games against Portugal and Spain, with Hemp and Greenwood having made their returns to action with Manchester City in recent weeks. Stanway, though, is behind them in her recovery, as she has not been able to get back on the pitch for Bayern Munich yet.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  There are plenty of other changes to Wiegman's last squad before she reveals her 23-player list for this summer's European Championships, too. Ella Morris, the England youth international full-back, earns her first senior call-up, while Missy Bo Kearns is included with the Lionesses for just a second time. It means that, despite an expanded squad of 27, there is no room for Millie Turner, Lucy Parker, Maisie Symonds or Jess Naz, with Lauren James also still absent due to injury.

• LIONESSES SQUAD IN FULL

  Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (PSG), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride)

  Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Ella Morris (Tottenham), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)

  Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Manchester United), Missy Bo Kearns (Aston Villa), Fran Kirby (Brighton), Jess Park (Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Chelsea)

  Forwards: Michelle Agyemang (Brighton, on loan from Arsenal), Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Chloe Kelly (Arsenal, loan from Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Brighton & Hove Albion), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)

• WHAT WIEGMAN SAID

  "We have reflected upon two different performances against Belgium in April and although there were positives to take, there is more we want and need to improve on," Wiegman said.

  "We have the possibility of seeing 27 players in our environment and that’s a real positive. It will give us more good information to make important decisions in the near future. Also naming the squad 12 days before the window begins gives all the players clarity as the season ends for some and carries on for others. The hard work continues from the moment we arrive at St. George’s Park on Monday 26 May.”