Fran Kirby and Chloe Kelly to miss England's Women's Nations League clash with Belgium at Ashton Gate on Friday
Updated 04/04/2025 at 19:25 GMT+1
England have suffered another injury blow ahead of their UEFA Women's Nations League clash with Belgium on Friday. Fran Kirby and Chloe Kelly will both miss the match due to injury, with Sarina Wiegman admitting that their absences are a significant blow for her team. The Lionesses are currently second in Group 3 of the Nations League after a 1-0 win against Spain and a 1-1 draw with Portugal.
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Fran Kirby and Chloe Kelly will miss England's UEFA Women's Nations League match against Belgium due to injury.
The duo join a long list of star players who are out of the clash at Ashton Gate on Friday, with Alex Greenwood, Georgia Stanway and Lauren Hemp also carrying knocks.
Indeed, on Friday it was announced that Kelly had withdrawn from the England squad entirely and returned to Arsenal to aid her rehabilitation from a foot injury. In turn, she will also be absent from Tuesday's return fixture against Belgium in Leuven.
Kirby, however, could still return in time to feature next week.
England manager Sarina Wiegman admitted that the list of absentees was a significant blow for her team.
"We are still working towards Tuesday's game," Wiegman said, before it was announced that Kelly had withdrawn from the squad. "It's really disappointing for them because they are in a very good place. It's disappointing for the team too.
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"But as always, we prepare for the next steps and think about scenarios of who is ready to play and is ready to come in."
England are currently second in Group 3 but have the exact same record as leaders Portugal following a 1-0 victory over World Cup winners Spain earlier this year.
Wiegman's side will have one eye on Euro 2025 this summer, and she believes her players have improved since the last England camp.
"What we have seen [since] the last camp, has been many competitive games," said Wiegman.
"It has been really enjoyable to watch and you saw the level went up again.
"There have been big challenges with games involving many England players so that was really good to see.
"You could see a lot of players grew in confidence and are in a good place."
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