Sarina Wiegman is happy to see English star Leah Williamson back in the Lionesses group
SARINA WIEGMAN has welcomed England's Leah Williamson's return from injury but remained tight-lipped on whether she will be captain this month.
And the Lionesses boss wants FIFA and UEFA to resolve match scheduling and traffic jam issues so players can “stay fit and fresh”.
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The head coach was delighted to include 26-year-old Williamson in her squad ahead of England's first two international matches this year.
The Lioness centre-back's recall comes a month after her return to action for Arsenal following her successful recovery from a knee ligament tear she suffered last April.
England play Austria in a friendly at the Estadio Nuevo Mirador in Spain next Friday before facing Italy on February 27.
And Wiegman, 53, revealed that Williamson, who guided the Lionesses to European Championship glory in 2022, may not don the captain's armband for these two games.
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She said: “It's really nice to have her back because she's a really good player.
“Even though she has been out for months, her decision-making (on the field) is still good and yes – she is still building up.
“I think the team did really well last year. The players have gotten better, but it's really good to have her back.”
Williamson's anterior cruciate ligament caused her to miss England's World Cup run last summer, when the team reached the final of the tournament for the first time.
In her last Lionesses appearance, she captained a Women's Finalissima win over Brazil at Wembley last April.
On whether the WSL ace will captain against Austria and Italy, Wiegman added: “I have to talk to the players about that.
“It's also a new moment, so she's starting over. We will probably come back to that and discuss it with the group.”
The February matches in England will be used by Wiegman and her players as part of their preparation for the European Championship qualifiers next summer.
The team, who will play their first qualifying matches in April, are keen to win back-to-back European Championship trophies.
Off the field, Wiegman emphasizes that match planning must be looked at to ensure players have sufficient rest between seasons.
England are among the teams that have played in consecutive tournaments over the past three summers.
And it has led to WSL stars and domestic league players having shorter breaks ahead of the start of new domestic seasons.
Wiegman said: “What the players want and constantly ask is 'where is the rest for us?' because they want to compete.
“We want the players to be fit and fresh.
“This means that you always need sufficient rest, but you also need to train between June and July.
“We have had a number of conversations with clubs and they were good conversations.
“But we still don't always have solutions for that period. FIFA and UEFA must solve that for the players.
Wiegman's 23-man squad recalled Manchester City striker Jess Park alongside goalkeeper Khiara Keating.
Tottenham midfielder Grace Clinton, on loan to Spurs from Man United this season, was also there.
But there was no recall for in-form Red Devils forward Nikita Parris.
The Man United CEO has scored eight goals in twelve WSL games. And Wiegman admits it was difficult to leave her out.
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The England boss added: “Obviously the competition up front is very high and she didn't play much (for Man United) in the autumn.
“Since then she has played well as number nine.
“I've spoken to her and I hope she has more consistency there. I went with other players but it was a difficult decision.”