WOMEN’S WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: ENGLAND’S CHLOE KELLY AND FRAN KIRBY OUT INJURED

Chloe Kelly, who scored the winner against Germany in the final of Euro 2022, has been ruled out of England’s first squad since their historic Wembley triumph with injury.

Chelsea’s Fran Kirby is also injured and coach Sarina Wiegman is without retired duo Jill Scott and Ellen White.

Arsenal midfielder Jordan Nobbs and Houston Dash striker Ebony Salmon come into the 23-player squad.

Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, a Euro 2022 squad member, has been left out.

Manchester City goalkeeper Sandy MacIver returns after making the longlist for Euro 2022, as does Manchester United captain Katie Zelem, and there is a call-up for Chelsea’s Lauren James.

England take on Austria and Luxembourg in their final qualifiers for the 2023 World Cup on 3 and 6 September, respectively.

Manchester City forward Kelly has a minor leg injury, of which Wiegman said: “She needs a little more time, it’s not too bad. I don’t think it will take too long.”

The England coach added that midfielder Kirby “hasn’t had much training at all” because of a foot injury.

On Hampton’s exclusion, Wiegman said: “She has some personal issues that she has to solve so for her at this moment it’s better for her to stay at her club.”

Nobbs, who has 67 caps, was ruled out of the Euros after picking up a knee injury in May.

Wiegman said Nobbs was “really excited” to be a part of the squad again and would be keen to make an impression before next summer’s World Cup.

“She was very disappointed that she got injured and needed more time for the Euros,” Wiegman told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“She worked hard over the summer and has had good preparation with Arsenal. I am very interested to see where she is at the moment and how she is coming back from the injury.”

Although there were call-ups for young forwards James and Salmon, Chelsea defender Niamh Charles missed out on selection despite making the longlist for Euro 2022 selection.

“She was a step from the Euros. In our backline all players are available so I didn’t feel the urge to change that,” said Wiegman.

“Niamh will be with the U23s and we will keep close contact with her.”

And asked whether the current squad of players could fill the void left by experienced duo White and Scott, Wiegman said “we absolutely can”.

“Yeah of course we are going to miss them. They are such huge personalities and bring so much experience to the game,” she added.

“We have seen that they can still have an impact on our game but I totally respect their choice. They stop now in a moment when they have a gold medal in the European Championships.

“We will have to fill a gap but I do think we can absolutely do it. The depth in our team is really good and also the personalities we have in our team can pick it up.”