England announce provisional squad for Women's Euro 2022

England have named their 28-player provisional squad for Women's Euro 2022.

Arsenal midfielder Leah Williamson will captain the Lionesses on home soil as Sarina Wiegman’s team bid to win their first major international tournament.

There are returns to the fold for Chelsea’s Fran Kirby, Manchester United’s Lucy Staniforth and Manchester City pair Steph Houghton and Chloe Kelly after missing the last camp in April.

Former captain Houghton has been troubled by an Achilles problem in recent months and is yet to play under Wiegman, but has been given the opportunity to prove her fitness ahead of the July tournament.

England regulars Ellen White, Jill Scott and Lucy Bronze are among the names to have been included, though Arsenal’s Jordan Nobbs misses out after being ruled out for the summer with a knee injury.

England kick off their campaign in exactly 50 days' time with their Group A opener against Austria on July 6 at Old Trafford.

They then head to Brighton’s Amex Stadium to face Norway before their final group game with Northern Ireland at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium.

Head coach Wiegman said: "The Euros are getting closer and this is a big step towards the tournament. We have a settled squad and I know we have players in our team that 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.

"We also look forward to welcoming those who have been working individually and with their clubs on their fitness in the past few weeks.

"We are hoping to have them back on the pitch when the series of pre-camps start, so we can see where they are at."

The Lionesses will report to St George’s Park on May 30 ahead of the final 23-player squad being announced in mid-June. 

Wiegman's side face warm-up games against Belgium on June 16 and Netherlands on June 24.

England 28-player provisional squad in full

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Aston Villa), Sandy MacIver (Everton), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City).

Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal).

Midfielders: Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Jill Scott (Aston Villa, on loan from Manchester City), Lucy Staniforth (Manchester United), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Katie Zelem (Manchester United).

Forwards: Beth England (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Manchester United), Ellen White (Manchester City).