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England's James ready for Euros opener with France, says Wiegman / Photo: © AFP
England's James ready for Euros opener with France, says Wiegman
Lauren James is ready to take part in England's opening fixture of their women's European Championship title defence against France, coach Sarina Wiegman said on Friday.
Chelsea star James was selected in Wiegman's squad despite being a doubt for the tournament after being sidelined with a hamstring injury in April.
She returned for the Lionesses with a substitute appearance in Sunday's 7-0 hammering of Jamaica -- showing her class with a stunning assist for Alessia Russo -- and Wiegman hinted the forward might even start the Group D clash in Zurich on Saturday.
"Yeah, the team looks really good. I think we're ready. We had our last session this morning and everyone came through well," Wiegman told reporters.
"She's (James) in a good place of course. As you've noticed she came on the pitch against Jamaica last week and she's ready to get more minutes tomorrow.
"We're not going to give you the line-up but she played 30 minutes last week, so she can play more than that. So, I think that will say enough."
England have had some turbulence in the lead up to the Euros in Switzerland, with goalkeeper Mary Earps and midfielder Fran Kirby retiring from international football, albeit in differing circumstances.
And centre-back Millie Bright, who captained England to a first Women's World Cup final in 2023, also withdrew herself from selection due to physical and mental fatigue.
But fellow defender Leah Williamson, a Champions League winner with Arsenal in May, is raring to go after missing out on their run to the World Cup final two years ago with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
"I've probably had some anxiety I suppose, up until this moment, just because I wanted to be here and I wanted to be with the team," Williamson said.
"I wanted to experience another tournament for England and being away from home is special when you come to another country to represent your country... So I'm just taking everything in. I'm very excited."
France, who have also waved goodbye to influential figures in Wendie Renard and Eugenie Le Sommer, will be without captain Griedge Mbock who has picked up a calf injury and missed team training on Friday.
D. Fjodorow--BTZ
