Houghton and Kirby in Euros squad

STEPH HOUGHTON and Fran Kirby have both been included in England’s provisional squad for the Women’s Euros but face a race against time to be fit for the tournament. Head coach Sarina Wiegman has named a 28-player squad but will cut that to 23 before the first warm-up game with Belgium on June 16. England kick off the tournament against Austria at

Old Trafford on July 6. Houghton, captain for the Lionesses’ last three tournaments, has been out since January after surgery on an achilles injury. She has not featured for Wiegman since the Dutch coach took charge in September. Kirby has not played since February due to a fatigue-related issue. However, she was fit enough to make the bench for Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Sunday. There is no place in the squad for Arsenal midfielder Jordan Nobbs, who missed the 2019 World Cup after rupturing her cruciate ligament, due to another knee injury suffered at the start of the month. Wiegman has called up Manchester City’s Chloe Kelly for the first time. The winger, who returned from a cruciate injury last month, finished the season strongly and now has the chance to impress. ‘The Euros are getting closer, and this is a big step towards the tournament,’ Wiegman said after announcing the squad for her first major tournament as England head coach. ‘We have a settled squad and I know we have players in our team who will give everything to make it a summer to remember. ‘It is important the players have the chance to get some rest now after a very busy season before we get back to our work. ‘We then have a series of prep camps coming up and it is important we use this time to build an even closer connection on and off the pitch.’