Kirby recalled to Lionesses squad to face Belgium

Brighton forward Fran Kirby has been recalled to the England squad for their upcoming Women's Nations League matches against Belgium next month.

The 31-year-old came on as a substitute in the 0-0 draw with the United States in November but missed February's matches through injury.

"I'm delighted to see [Kirby] fit and that she is playing," manager Sarina Wiegman told BBC Sport.

"She brings a lot of experience and of course great vision in the game. It's great to have her back."

The Euro 2022 winner - listed as a midfielder in the squad list - is joined by Arsenal forwards Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly, but Tottenham's Jess Naz has not been selected.

There is also a first senior call-up for Brighton midfielder Maisie Symonds, 22, who steps up from the under-23 squad, alongside Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating.

"[Mead and Kelly bring] quality. What you have seen at Arsenal is that they swap around a bit. They are totally different wing players," added Wiegman.

"I had a conversation with [Naz] and of course she is disappointed. She is working hard to turn around that form.

"You know in some moments things go really well but then in others you just have to hope things go well and keep doing the right things. That is what she is doing.

"The competition up front is really high. That is good for the players but sometimes it gives players disappointments as well."

England are still without several key players through injury, including Manchester City duo Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood, and Bayern Munich midfielder Georgia Stanway.

Wiegman's 25-player squad host Belgium at Ashton Gate on Friday, 4 April (20:00 BST kick-off), before travelling to Leuven on Tuesday, 8 April (19:30).

They began their Women's Nations League campaign with a draw in Portugal before beating world champions Spain 1-0 at Wembley last month.

"I would say that what we saw against Spain - that fight, that togetherness, but still being modest - that is what I would like to see against Belgium," said Wiegman.

"That is what the players want to see too. It will be a different challenge because we expect to have the ball more."

Full England squad:

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Paris St-Germain), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride).

Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham FC), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Lucy Parker (Aston Villa), Millie Turner (Manchester United), Leah Williamson (Arsenal).

Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Brighton), Jess Park (Manchester City), Maisie Symonds (Brighton), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Chelsea).

Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Arsenal), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Brighton & Hove Albion), Alessia Russo (Arsenal).