Sarina Wiegman has expressed optimism about Lauren James’s chances of being fit for the upcoming European Championship this summer. The Chelsea forward, who has been sidelined since April due to a hamstring injury sustained during England’s home victory against Belgium, has faced uncertainty over her participation in the tournament scheduled for July in Switzerland. However, Wiegman’s latest comments suggest a positive outlook on James’s recovery.
James has been steadily progressing through her rehabilitation and is currently back on the training pitch, meeting the expected milestones in her recovery plan. Wiegman highlighted that James’s rehab is going well, indicating that she remains hopeful the forward will regain full fitness in time for the tournament.
The England head coach also provided an update on the fitness of Georgia Stanway, the Bayern Munich midfielder who recently returned to the starting lineup after a lengthy absence due to a knee injury. Stanway made her first start of the year in a recent 2-1 loss against Spain but was substituted at half-time. Wiegman clarified that this substitution was a precautionary measure and not due to any fresh injury, emphasizing that Stanway is in a strong position health-wise. After such a long spell out of action, the coach explained that playing just 45 minutes was a sensible approach to manage her return and avoid any setbacks, despite Stanway’s obvious desire to play more.
In addition to updates on James and Stanway, Wiegman paid tribute to Fran Kirby following the forward’s unexpected retirement announcement. Wiegman expressed her admiration for Kirby’s remarkable career and her contributions to the Women’s Super League, praising her not only as an exceptional player but also as an incredible person. She revealed that she had multiple honest discussions with Kirby about her place in the squad and the difficult decision she faced regarding her future in international football. Wiegman acknowledged Kirby’s efforts to make the squad, underscoring the respect and affection she holds for the former England international.
As Wiegman prepares to finalize her 23-player squad for Euro 2025, the focus remains on ensuring the team is both strong and fit. The forward line, in particular, has faced challenges due to injuries, but the encouraging signs from James’s rehabilitation bring hope to the squad’s attacking options. Meanwhile, the cautious approach to Stanway’s comeback aims to secure the midfielder’s long-term availability and impact.
England’s upcoming European Championship campaign will test the squad’s resilience and adaptability, especially with key players managing recovery from injuries. Wiegman’s positive outlook on James’s fitness, alongside the steady reintegration of Stanway, offers a promising indication that the team can enter the tournament with a competitive and balanced squad. As the final selection looms, the management will be hoping that injuries do not derail their preparations and that the players chosen can perform at their highest level on the continental stage.
With the tournament kicking off in Switzerland this summer, England’s fans will be eagerly watching for updates on the fitness of their stars, particularly Lauren James, whose form and creativity could prove vital for the Lionesses’ success. The coming weeks will be crucial for the players as they continue their recovery and build up match fitness ahead of the highly anticipated competition.
