Sarina Wiegman has no issue with Georgia Stanway’s late England arrival

Football Mad -

England head coach Sarina Wiegman has no concerns over Bayern Munich midfielder Georgia Stanway linking up with her squad late ahead of Euro 2025 qualifiers.

The Lionesses play a behind-closed-doors friendly against Wiegman’s native Netherlands on Thursday before qualifying games against Republic of Ireland in Norwich on July 12 and away to Sweden four days later.

But Stanway is absent from England’s preparations this week because Bayern have already started pre-season training.

“We knew this about summer,” Wiegman said about Stanway’s absence from the England training camp in the Netherlands.

England head coach Sarina Wiegman is preparing for a behind-closed-doors friendly against the Netherlands (Ian Hodgson/PA)

“We talked to every club and discussed what summer looked like.

“Bayern Munich already started prep for next season so she gets football sessions before she comes into the next camp.

“It’s a strange summer because we are preparing for two games and there is no football.

“(But) we’re professionals, we want to perform at the highest possible level on the 12th and the 16th and we will get prepared for that. That’s what we’re working on.”

Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, who has received her first call-up, will also join the squad on Monday as she is currently playing league football for Orlando Pride in the NWSL.

Mary Earps and Niamh Charles have been given the all-clear to return for the two Euro 2025 qualifiers after injury.

Goalkeeper Earps, who has signed a two-year deal to join Paris St Germain following the expiry of her Manchester United contract, has been troubled by a hip injury, while Chelsea defender Charles has had a calf problem.

Wiegman said: “Everyone who is here is fit – well, fit or in rehab or building towards minutes.

England goalkeeper Mary Earps is fit again for international duty after injury (Nigel French/PA)

“We expect everyone in camp would be available for next Friday and the following Tuesday.”

Chelsea forward Lauren James remains out with a toe injury and Wiegman added: “It’s progressing well but it was too early to bring her in.

“It’s going in the right direction but not totally recovered.

“This is not the moment to take risks with her health with a chance that she would be out for a longer period of time.”