Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman says England have to "move on" from Millie Bright pulling out of Euro 2025 and Mary Earps and Fran Kirby's retirements.
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Article continues below
Article continues below
- Bright withdraws from England squad for Euros
- Wiegman reacts to that announcement
- Issues fitness update on James
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WHAT HAPPENED?
England appeared to be left reeling after Chelsea captain Bright said she would not participate in this summer's Euros, which came hot on the heels of Brighton's Kirby and Paris Saint-Germain's Earps retiring from international duty. Despite that, Lionesses manager Wiegman has stressed her squad have to get over this quickly. She also provided an update on selecting Lauren James in her Euro 2025 squad, despite the winger being out with a hamstring injury since April.
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- Getty Images Sport
WHAT WIEGMAN SAID
On Bright's absence, she said: "In the last couple of days I found out – we were in conversation. It's sad, it's disappointing. As I said last week, it's not nice and I hope she feels well very soon.
"They've [Earps and Kirby] done so much for us, so much England, for England football. They've been playing the tournaments since I've been here, so it's hard; hard to replace. But there are also other players who have done really well and now those players get the opportunity to step up. So you have to move on."
On James, Wiegman added: "It's not a risk. She's training really well at her club and she's at the point we hoped she would be at this stage. She keeps progressing and hopefully, when she comes into camp, she can go into training with us and keep progressing towards the first game on the 5 July. We don't see it as a risk, we're just building her."
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
England are trying to defend their Euros title but this has not been the best preparation for Wiegman's side. Losing Bright is a huge blow as she has been a rock in England's defence for years but if James can feature, that is a huge boost for the Lionesses.
- Getty Images
WHAT NEXT?
England are next in action against Jamaica on June 29, before Wiegman's team begins their Euro 2025 campaign against France on July 5. The Lionesses also face the Netherlands and Wales in their group.
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