Hemp to miss England matches after knee surgery

Lauren Hemp has created the most chances and picked up the most assists in the Women's Super League this season

Manchester City forward Lauren Hemp has had surgery on a knee injury, ruling her out of England's upcoming friendlies with the United States and Switzerland.

Hemp missed City's past two matches, including Saturday's 2-0 defeat by title rivals Chelsea, but the club has not specified the nature of the injury or how long she will be out.

England manager Sarina Wiegman confirmed it was not an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

Asked if it is a serious injury, Wiegman told BBC Sport: "No, I think if that was the case Manchester City would have communicated that. That's not the case.

"She was in such a good place and was playing so well, so it's of course disappointing.

"On the other hand, I would say it's better that if something happens it's now rather than in the spring, and she can be back to her level again.

"I always think it's disappointing but it gives other players opportunities to show themselves and play."

Hemp, 24, has been one of the standout players in the Women's Super League this season, scoring twice and assisting five in seven matches.

Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone, 25, is also ruled out for England with a calf injury.

She missed United's 2-0 victory over Leicester on Sunday - the first time in 96 league games she has not started.

"Ella picked up an injury in training the day before the Leicester game. She took a calf injury in a small, bottled session," said United manager Marc Skinner.

"She will definitely miss the [next] two games [with United], she will miss the international window and we will then see if she is back after that."

There are several injury concerns for Wiegman.

Chelsea duo Lauren James and Niamh Charles missed October's friendly defeat by Germany and win over South Africa with injuries and have still not returned.

Aston Villa defender Lucy Parker is also absent for "several weeks" because of an ankle injury she picked up earlier this month.

It means there are first senior international call-ups for Manchester City midfielder Laura Blindkilde Brown and Leicester City's Ruby Mace, who progress from the Under-23s.

Manchester United defender Gabby George is named in the squad for the first time since November 2022.

Meanwhile, Manchester City winger Chloe Kelly retains her place in the squad despite continuing to struggle for game time.

"It's a hard situation. Competition is high at Manchester City. We have to look at what's available in our squad," said Wiegman.

The Lionesses face Emma Hayes' USA at Wembley Stadium on 30 November (17:20 GMT), before welcoming Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland in Sheffield on 3 December (19:45 GMT).

The last time England faced the USA was in October 2022 when they won 2-1 thanks to goals from Hemp and Georgia Stanway.

The friendlies mark the countdown to the start of Euro 2025 when Wiegman's side will defend their European crown in Switzerland from 2-27 July.

"I’m very excited, of course. [The USA are] number one in the world, gold medallists at the Olympics and I get to see Emma [Hayes] again," said Wiegman.

"We collaborated until last summer when she was coaching Chelsea. It will be good to see her, play against her and for the first time be competing against each other."

'We need to stay tight in our circle'

England lost to Germany and beat South Africa in their last international camp

The last two friendlies against Germany and South Africa were underwhelming from an England perspective and there was criticism about their performance.

Wiegman said it is "part of the job" to accept expectation levels have increased following their success at Euro 2022, and England have to find ways to deal with it.

"The main thing that we always need to remember is that we know what we're working on. In the last camp - and in this camp too - we don't need to be fully ready now," said Wiegman.

"We don't have to get clarity on everything because we are having friendlies, experimenting and we won't get everything right. We just want to see growth.

"Of course that might influence our performance on the pitch. Every game we play we absolutely want to win.

"I understand the criticism, but we as players and staff need to know what we're working on and trying out. We know where we want to go to, so need to stay tight in our circle.

"If you are going to listen to everyone's opinion outside… well, they don't have the full context of everything. We know exactly what we're working on."

Who is in the England squad?

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Paris St-Germain), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride)

Defenders: Mille Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham), Gabby George (Manchester United), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Millie Turner (Manchester United), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Grace Clinton (Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jess Park (Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Ruby Mace (Leicester City)

Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Jess Naz (Tottenham Hotspur), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)