Arsenal's Leah Williamson withdraws from the England squad ahead of the training camp

LEAH WILLIAMSON'S return to England was halted by an injury that led to the European Championship winner withdrawing from the Lionesses squad.

The Arsenal striker missed the Gunners' 3-1 defeat to Manchester United in the Emirates on Saturday after a hamstring injury.

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After his party's victory Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall hinted at Williamson's withdrawal from Wiegman's 23-man squad ahead of their first two international matches this year.

The Gunners gaffer revealed the Lionesses captain would miss his team's match with United due to a “minor” hamstring problem.

England will play Austria on February 23 and Italy on February 27 in friendly matches at the Estadio Nuevo Mirador Algeciras in Spain.

Earlier today, the FA confirmed that Man United's Millie Turner will replace Williamson in Sarina Wiegman's squad.

Turner's inclusion in the England squad comes three months after her recall to the national team, ahead of England's Women's Nations League clash with the Netherlands and Scotland.

Last November, the Red Devils defender was called up to replace injured Lionesses vice-captain Millie Bright.

Turner and her England teammates will travel to Marbella, Spain, on Monday ahead of the start of England's warm weather camp.

Williamson's call-up this month was her first recall for Lionesses since her recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury suffered in April last year.

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The England captain, who has 43 caps to her name, tore a knee ligament weeks after leading her team to victory in the Women's Finalissima against Brazil.

Williamson's Gunners teammate Lotte Wubben-Moy is among eight defenders in the Lionesses squad this month.

The team's matches against Austria and Italy will be used as part of their preparation for the Euro 2025 qualifiers in April.