Leah Williamson will make her first start for England in over a year when they face the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old has not featured for the Lionesses since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in April 2023, which forced her to miss last summer’s World Cup.

She was included in Sarina Wiegman’s squad for England’s European Championship 2025 qualifiers this month and was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw against Sweden last Friday. 

Wiegman confirmed in her press conference on Monday that Williamson would start in their upcoming fixture. 

Williamson added: “I have enjoyed being a part of the journey in a different way. It has been a difficult journey.”

Williamson has been named in Wiegman’s last two squads but was forced to withdraw from February’s camp due to a hamstring injury.

She has featured on four occasions in the Women’s Super League (WSL) for Arsenal this season. 

England are third in the qualifier standings in Group A3 after one match, two points behind France who defeated the Republic of Ireland 1-0 in their opening game.

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