Lauren Hemp has been excluded from England's upcoming friendlies following successful knee surgery, as confirmed by her club, Manchester City. The 24-year-old forward, who has been a standout performer in the Women's Super League (WSL), had been missing from Manchester City's last two matches, including their 2-0 defeat to Chelsea. While Manchester City has not specified her recovery timeline, the club has assured that the knee surgery is not related to an ACL injury, and England coach Sarina Wiegman echoed this in her statement.
Hemp's absence is a significant blow for both Manchester City and the England national team. She recently made history by becoming the youngest player in WSL history to score 50 goals, further cementing her status as one of the league's top talents. Hemp has also contributed five assists this season, alongside creating 26 chances, and overall, she has scored twice and provided seven assists across all competitions. This includes a memorable performance in City's 4-0 win over Tottenham, where she recorded three assists.
In addition to Hemp’s injury, England will also be without Manchester United's Ella Toone, who is sidelined with a calf injury. Toone's injury prevented her from making her usual start in United's recent match against Leicester City, ending her impressive streak of 96 consecutive league starts. This adds to a growing list of injuries among key players, including Chelsea's Niamh Charles, Lauren James, and Lucy Parker, who are all unavailable for selection. The Chelsea duo of Charles and James had missed the previous international break due to ongoing issues.
With several high-profile players absent, the England squad will see some fresh faces. Laura Blindkilde Brown and Ruby Mace have both received their first-ever call-ups to the national team, while Gabby George returns to the squad for the first time since November 2022. These players will join a strong squad that includes notable names like Mary Earps (Paris Saint-Germain), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), and Leah Williamson (Arsenal), among others.
England’s upcoming friendlies will see them take on the United States at Wembley on November 30, followed by a match against Switzerland three days later. These fixtures are important as the team prepares for future competitions, and despite the absence of key players like Hemp and Toone, the England squad remains full of talent and depth. Wiegman will be hoping her squad can rise to the occasion and deliver strong performances, while also providing opportunities for the new call-ups to make their mark on the international stage.
