Freya Godfrey has earned her first senior England call-up after manager Sarina Wiegman named the Lionesses squad for upcoming friendlies against China and Ghana. The London City Lionesses forward, who netted her first two goals of the season in a recent win over Tottenham, moves up to the senior group following regular involvement with England’s Under-23s.
Manchester City duo Lauren Hemp and Grace Clinton are back in the squad following injury interruptions. In contrast, Lauren James and Jess Carter have been left out so their fitness can be carefully managed: James remains with Chelsea as she continues her recovery, while Carter has been afforded time off after completing the NWSL season.
Several players are absent through injury, including Michelle Agyemang, Alex Greenwood, Hannah Hampton and Leah Williamson.
The goalkeeping department features Sophie Baggaley of Brighton, who joins Khiara Keating (Man City) and Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride). Between the three keepers they have just one senior cap, underlining Wiegman’s willingness to test options ahead of future selections.
Anouk Denton, Grace Fisk, Taylor Hinds and Lucia Kendall keep their places after being called up in October, with Kendall — who already holds one cap — available to add to her tally.
Sky Sports reporter Laura Hunter highlighted Wiegman’s expectation that players must be competing regularly at the highest club level to be considered for selection. Godfrey’s progression from the U23s to the senior squad reflects that policy. Hunter also welcomed Hemp’s return to full contention and said Clinton, whose City season has been stop-start, needs a sustained run of matches to rebuild momentum and push up the England pecking order. If Clinton secures consistent game time, Hunter argued, she has the potential to challenge for a starting role at future tournaments.
Full England squad:
Goalkeepers: Sophie Baggaley (Brighton), Khiara Keating (Man City), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride)
Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Anouk Denton (West Ham), Grace Fisk (Liverpool), Taylor Hinds (Arsenal), Maya Le Tissier (Man Utd), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Laura Blinkilde Brown (Man City), Grace Clinton (Man City), Missy Bo Kearns (Aston Villa), Lucia Kendall (Aston Villa), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Man Utd), Keira Walsh (Chelsea)
Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses), Lauren Hemp (Man City), Chloe Kelly (Arsenal), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Jess Park (Man Utd), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)