Leah Williamson will make her first start for England in a year when they face Republic of Ireland in a Euro 2025 qualifier.

Leah Williamson is set to make her long-awaited return to the England national team as they face Republic of Ireland in a Euro 2025 qualifier on Tuesday. The Arsenal defender has not played for her country in over a year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a Women’s Super League match against Manchester United in April 2023.

This injury forced Williamson to miss out on the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand last summer. However, she made her comeback for Arsenal earlier this year and has now been called up for England’s European qualifiers against Sweden and Republic of Ireland. She had previously missed out on friendly internationals in February due to a hamstring injury.

In Friday’s 1-1 draw with Sweden, Williamson was named as an unused substitute. But England manager Sarina Wiegman has confirmed that the 27-year-old will start the upcoming match against Republic of Ireland and will also wear the captain’s armband. This will be an emotional moment for Williamson, who previously captained England to Euro 2022 glory.

Speaking to reporters, Williamson expressed her excitement about returning to the national team. She described her love for playing for England and how emotional it was for her to be back in the squad. She also mentioned how difficult the journey has been since her ACL injury and how returning to the England squad has been a goal of hers.

Williamson recalled the disappointment of sitting in the stands during England’s loss to Spain in the World Cup final and expressed her desire to be back on the pitch with her teammates. She emphasized her passion for playing for England and how much she enjoys watching and supporting the team.

Wiegman praised Williamson’s abilities as a player, highlighting her vision and ability to find the right pass. She also mentioned her flexibility in defense and her contribution to the team’s overall defensive efforts. The manager expressed her confidence in Williamson’s abilities and the positive impact she can have on the team.

Overall, the return of Leah Williamson to the England national team is a significant moment for both the player and the squad. Her experience and leadership qualities will undoubtedly be valuable as the Lionesses continue their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign.