Walsh and Kirby return as Wiegman names England squad to face Belgium

Keira Walsh and Fran Kirby have been included in Sarina Wiegman's England squad to take on Belgium in a Women's Nations League double-header this month.

Barcelona midfielder Walsh has not featured since the World Cup final loss to Spain in August while Kirby is preparing to make her first international appearance since 2022 after suffering a knee injury.

Midfielder Grace Clinton — on loan at Tottenham from Manchester United — and Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating are handed their first senior call-ups after impressive starts to the Women's Super League season.

Wiegman's side will take on the Red Flames in front of a sold-out King Power Stadium on October 27 before travelling to Leuven for the reverse fixture on October 31.

The Lionesses have picked up three points from their opening two matches since the World Cup, defeating Scotland 2-1 before a 2-1 loss at the Netherlands last month.

Wiegman said: "It's good for us to be back together.

"Obviously we had a good start with the win against Scotland, however the outcome of our last fixture against the Netherlands was disappointing. We will be fully focused to perform well twice against tough opposition.

"Belgium's results in the Nations League show they are a talented side who can cause teams problems, so we will need to be at our best to get the results we're looking for."

Beth Mead is not yet back in Wiegman's plans despite an impressive return to first-team action with Arsenal at the weekend following her anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Lucy Staniforth, Jordan Nobbs, Katie Robinson and Laura Coombs also miss out.

England squad to face Belgium

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City)

Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Lucy Parker (Aston Villa), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United)

Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Tottenham), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Katie Zelem (Manchester United) 

Forwards: Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Alessia Russo (Arsenal), Jess Park (Manchester City)