Toone and Kelly axed as Potter earns first England call-up for Greece play-off
Wiegman makes bold calls as Lionesses chase World Cup qualification
England head coach Sarina Wiegman has reshaped her Lionesses squad for the two-legged Women's World Cup qualifying play-off against Greece — and the headline news is a changing of the guard. Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone and Arsenal forward Chloe Kelly, who share 136 England appearances between them, have both been omitted from the 23-player group.
The 27-year-old Toone misses out after an inconsistent start to the season, while 28-year-old Kelly has also been left out. Explaining the decision, Wiegman was blunt about what she had seen from the veteran pair.
"The main reason is the levels weren't quite what I expected from them on the pitch."
In addition, Chelsea forward Aggie Beever-Jones and Arsenal duo Lotte Wubben-Moy and Taylor Hinds have not made the squad, while captain Leah Williamson returns having missed June's 4-0 defeat by Spain and the 3-0 win over Ukraine in June.
Potter's breakthrough after Chelsea star turn
There is a first senior call-up for Chelsea midfielder Lexi Potter, 20, who has impressed alongside England's Keira Walsh in the Women's Super League. Potter has started three of Chelsea's opening four matches and was a standout performer in their 1-0 win over Arsenal on Sunday, with calls for her inclusion growing significantly this term.
There is also a return to the squad for uncapped 18-year-old midfielder Erica Meg Parkinson, who has excelled since joining North Carolina Courage in the summer, while London City Lionesses forward Freya Godfrey and Liverpool defender Grace Fisk are the other two uncapped players named. Manchester City full-back Niamh Charles made her return from injury as a substitute in their 1-0 win over Charlton Athletic on Saturday and is included.
'Our expectations of ourselves are clear'
England play a double-header against Greece, first at the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion, Crete, on Friday 9 October (17:30 BST) and then at Leicester's King Power Stadium on Tuesday 13 October (19:30 BST). Victory over the two legs would take them to December's round two of the play-offs, where they can compete for a place at next summer's Women's World Cup in Brazil.
"We have great respect for Greece, but our expectations of ourselves are clear. We are here to win these two games, deliver strong performances, and move one step closer to securing our place at the World Cup. It's always exciting to reconnect as a group and we are looking forward to getting back together. The players will arrive motivated and ready for the next steps."
Full England squad
Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Liverpool), Anna Moorhouse (Manchester City, on loan from Orlando Pride)
Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham FC), Niamh Charles (Manchester City), Grace Fisk (Liverpool), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Lucia Kendall (Aston Villa), Erica Meg Parkinson (North Carolina Courage), Lexi Potter (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Arsenal), Keira Walsh (Chelsea)
Forwards: Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Manchester City), Jess Park (Manchester United), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)