Nobbs called up for England’s World Cup qualifying clashes
Former Sunderland Ladies star Jordan Nobbs is back in the England squad ahead of this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Latvia.
The 61-cap Arsenal midfielder, who was recovering from an ankle problem at the start of this season, is included for the first time under Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman, as part of a 23-player group.
Nobbs’ club-mate Leah Williamson is missing after sustaining what Arsenal have described as a “significant” hamstring injury in Saturday’s 1-1 Women’s Super League draw at Tottenham.
Williamson had captained England in their four previous qualifiers in the absence of Steph Houghton, who remains unavailable due to injury along with the likes of Lucy Bronze and Ellie Roebuck.
England face Austria at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on November 27, then take on Latvia at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium three days later.
So far in Group D, they have beaten North Macedonia, Luxembourg, Northern Ireland and Latvia 8-0, 10-0, 4-0 and 10-0 respectively.
Wiegman said: “We’ve had an extremely enjoyable and successful start to our World Cup qualifying campaign so far. Having experienced the incredible atmosphere of Wembley Stadium last month (the game against Northern Ireland), we’re delighted to
be visiting two venues in the north of England for our games against Austria and Latvia.
“Our first fixture this camp against Austria at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland should be an extremely exciting and competitive game and will be a good test of how well we are developing as a squad as we build towards next summer’s home Euro.
“We hope to see great crowds at both games as I’m very aware of the huge supporter base and participation at the grassroots of the game that exists in both regions.
“We would love to end this calendar year in style with two great World Cup qualifying matches as we prepare for what will be an incredible 2022 for women’s football in England.”
Meanwhile, Jonas Eidevall has called Arsenal Women’s schedule “almost inhuman” after Williamson was ruled out for the rest of the year with a hamstring problem.
The England star, 24, picked up the injury in the 1-1 draw against Tottenham on Saturday – Arsenal’s third match in six days.
Speaking ahead of his side’s European home fixture against HB Koge, boss Eidevall said: “Leah is doing some more examinations of the hamstring, but it all indicates a significant injury and that could possibly leave her out this whole year, and not being able to return before Christmas.
“It is a muscle injury so it is an overload issue. Obviously, we had a really tough week and no other team in the league has been asked to play with such a tight schedule. It was almost inhuman.”
Following news of her injury, Williamson posted a message to Instagram. “Photo dump of all the smiles football has given me these last few months,” she said.
“The most enjoyable of my career. Heart still full and I’ll see you back on the pitch soon.”