Chelsea pair Niamh Charles and Beth England have withdrawn from the Lionesses squad for Friday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 qualifier against North Macedonia due to positive COVID-19 test results.
The Football Association confirmed the news to FAWSL Full-Time this morning via an official press release. It is understood that neither player has come into contact with the remainder of the England squad at St George’s Park.
The positive results were recorded ahead of camp and just hours after the pair had featured in Chelsea’s 5-0 victory over Reading in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League. England scored two goals and assisted another in that match while teammate Charles was a second half substitute.
The Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman has opted against calling any other players into camp as replacements for Charles and England, her side are therefore set to go into Friday’s qualifying match against North Macedonia two players light.
In other England news, Wiegman’s assistant head coach Arjan Veurink has also tested positive for the virus and will not be travelling with the Lionesses to Skopje for Friday’s match against North Macedonia.
Subject to negative tests being recorded, Charles, England and Veurink could link-up with the Lionesses for the fixture against Northern Ireland in Belfast next week.
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