Report by Freya Ward, exclusive photos by Morganna King, both at St. George’s Park for Impetus (25/10/23).
Above: England’s Millie Bright looking relaxed in training. Photo: Morganna King for Impetus.
The Lionesses have regrouped ahead of their doubleheader against Belgium in the UEFA Women’s Nations League in hopes of securing Team GB Olympic qualification, but it does not seem as easy as fans and players alike had originally hoped.
England’s first two fixtures were against Scotland and the Netherlands home and away respectively, where England came out with just three points after winning 2-1 in a very scrappy game against Scotland, having two goals ruled out for offside with the use of VAR; but then losing 2-1 to the Dutch in a game which did not have the help of VAR to rule out Lieke Martens goal that appeared to be offside.
The importance of the Belgium games is definitely something that the players are aware of, Niamh Charles speaking to the media at St. George’s Park said: “Massively important, any game you play for your country is important and although we didn’t get the result we wanted last camp we have had some amazing learnings from that and hopefully we can implement them this camp against Belgium”.
The team took part in their first full training session back yesterday where 24 out of the 25 players were out on the grass – the one absentee being Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy after sustaining an ankle “knock” at the weekend, which led her to be doing her own separate session in the gym, hoping she can be fit for Friday’s game.
This session saw the likes of Fran Kirby being back in the international fold for the first time since she sustained a knee injury in February which evidently caused her to have to withdraw herself from the World Cup in Australia; Kirby was in full training with the rest of the players who had played for their domestic clubs on Sunday, in a slightly less full on session but she looked in form and I think she is going to be key to England’s plans in Paris 2024 qualification.
Two more exciting arrivals were those of Grace Clinton and Khiara Keating, both of whom were participating in their first-ever senior training sessions having progressed their way through the age groups and having earned their first call-ups due to their form for their domestic clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City respectively.
Both players took part in a press conference where they were asked about their initial feelings about their first senior call-ups at just 19 and 20, they both spoke about their feelings of “pride”; something extremely understandable for two youngsters to be included in such a talented group full of European champions, World Cup runners up, and Champions league winners.
Keating was seen getting stuck into the goalkeepers union, winning warm-up games with fellow teammate Hannah Hampton. I think her future is very bright as England potential number one in the near future., having already claimed that position for Manchester City ahead of fellow England international Ellie Roebuck.
More of Morganna King’s exclusive photography for Impetus from St. George’s Park
Don’t miss Impetus‘ coverage of the Lionesses game with Belgium in Leicester on Friday – Tom Coopey will be in the press box and Andy Wicks pitch side on photography duties to bring you the best possible coverage.
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