Aston Villa defender Lucy Parker has been forced to withdraw from the England squad after sustaining an ankle injury.
WSL Full-Time were informed of the news via an official squad update from The Football Association this afternoon.
It has been reported that Parker sustained her injury during an England training session at St George’s Park and she will now return to Aston Villa for a medical assessment. England head coach Sarina Wiegman will not call-up a replacement for the defender.
Parker’s withdrawal means that the Lionesses will be without two players for their UEFA Women’s Nations League double-header against Belgium. Chelsea forward Lauren James has also returned to her club with the player being the subject of concussion protocols. Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy’s fitness has been monitored over the last few days, although she should be fit to feature.
England face Belgium in the first of two UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures at The King Power Stadium in Leicester this evening. The Lionesses travel to Leuven for the return fixture on Tuesday.
Wiegman’s Lionesses have won one and lost one of their opening two matches in the inaugural UEFA Women’s Nations League. England must record two positive results against group leaders Belgium in the coming days to keep their hopes of topping the group alive.