Sarina Wiegman admits concern over Chloe Kelly

Sarina Wiegman has admitted her concern over Chloe Kelly's lack of minutes at Manchester City as she announced her squad for England's upcoming friendlies against USA and Switzerland.

Wiegman has been hit with a significant injury list for the international break, with Niamh Charles, Ella Toone, and Lucy Parker also ruled out alongside Lauren James and Lauren Hemp.

City confirmed this morning that Hemp has undergone successful knee surgery, while Manchester United's Toone is expected to be out for six weeks.

Kelly, who scored the Lionesses' winning goal in the Euro 2022 final, has struggled to break into Gareth Taylor's side this season, having started just one of City's eight WSL games so far. She is yet to register a goal or assist in the competition.

Wiegman had previously said Kelly had 'built credit' with England and that it 'wasn't in doubt' to bring her in. This came after Mail Sport revealed that Kelly and City manager Taylor's relationship had broken down, and they had reached an impasse in the 26-year-old's contract talks, which expires at the end of this season.

But when asked when Kelly's lack of minutes would start to become a concern for her, Wiegman said: 'I think it's a concern right now already. It's a hard situation. Competition at Man City is high.

'Let's also look at what players we have available for our squad. We have some injuries up front. Lauren Hemp is injured, and Lauren James is injured. So that competition is still ongoing too.'

She added: 'Chloe knows that she's not in the best position at the moment, but [she has] enough credit to bring her in – in relation to the whole team and the availability of players.'

Wiegman also said she expects the match against Emma Hayes' Olympic gold-winning USA team to be 'a good one.'

'[Hayes] did an amazing job at Chelsea, but now, going into that environment with the USA, and of course winning a gold medal, it's incredible what she's done. It's really, really impressive,' Wiegman said.

'I'm looking forward to seeing her, meeting her, and playing the USA with England. It's going to be a good one.'

United's solid defensive performances this season have been rewarded with call-ups for Millie Turner, Maya Le Tissier, and Gabby George, who returns to the squad for the first time since November 2022.

England will face the USA at Wembley next Saturday, November 30, before traveling to Bramall Lane to take on Switzerland on Tuesday, December 3.