England’s Wiegman Deals Injury Blow to Lions with Kirby and Wubben-Moy Ruled Out of Germany Friendly
England’s women’s national team has suffered a double blow ahead of their friendly match against Germany, as Fran Kirby and Lotte Wubben-Moy have been ruled out of the game due to injury. The duo joins the already injured Lauren James on the sidelines, with Wiegman’s side now facing a tough challenge to overcome the injury woes.
Wiegman confirmed that Wubben-Moy is still undergoing concussion protocol after missing several games for her club side Arsenal, and that she will not be available for selection. The news comes as a surprise to many, given that Wiegman mentioned earlier that Wubben-Moy was in “full training” and was progressing well in her recovery.
However, it is the news of Kirby’s absence that may have caught many off guard. The 31-year-old forward has been in impressive form since joining Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, playing in every one of their WSL fixtures and scoring twice. Wiegman revealed that Kirby’s consistent playing had taken a toll on her body, resulting in an injury that will keep her out of the friendly against Germany.
Despite the setbacks, Wiegman remained optimistic about the duo’s chances of making a return to the team in the near future. She expressed her desire to have Kirby available to play and hinted that the forward may be ready to return against South Africa, which will take place after the friendly against Germany.
Wiegman also spoke about the impact of Lauren James’ absence from the squad, having been forced to withdraw due to a calf injury. She expressed her desire to have James back in the team, praising her quality and work ethic. With the player originally named in Sonia Bompastor’s squad, Wiegman acknowledged the importance of getting her fit and back on the pitch as soon as possible.
The injuries will undoubtedly put pressure on Wiegman to juggle her squad ahead of England’s upcoming friendlies against Germany, USA, South Africa, and Switzerland. However, the manager remains confident in her team’s ability to adapt and overcome the challenges, and fans will be eagerly anticipating the team’s performance on the pitch.
In related news, Wiegman expressed her desire to see James back fit and playing, stating that she would be a significant boost to the team. However, for now, the injuries will have to wait until the players are fit and ready to return to action.
