Leah Williamson has been withdrawn from the England women’s team for an undisclosed reason.

Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish defender Irene Paredes (L) and Arsenal's English defender Leah Williamson talk to Swiss referee Esther Staubli (R) during the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final football match between Arsenal and Paris SG at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian on August 22, 2020. (Photo by Villar Lopez / POOL / AFP)
Paris Saint-Germain’s Spanish defender Irene Paredes (L) and Arsenal’s English defender Leah Williamson talk to Swiss referee Esther Staubli (R) during the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final football match between Arsenal and Paris SG at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian on August 22, 2020. (Photo by Villar Lopez / POOL / AFP)

The 23-year-old Arsenal defender has been involved with the senior England set-up since 2018 but she will play no part during this current international break after it was revealed she was withdrawn from the England squad as a precaution in a tweet that has now been deleted:

We will have to wait to hear from Arsenal before confirmation of the issue can be published.

Williamson was one of four Arsenal players called up for England’s training camp with Jordan Nobbs and Beth Mead also included along with Lotte Wubben-Moy who recently rejoined the club.

As per the FA’s official statement, “England Women head coach Phil Neville has named a 30 – player squad for the  Lionesses’ September training camp at St. George’s Park, heralding the start of a long – term build towards the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia  and New Zealand.”

“Among the players receiving their first senior England call – ups are defenders Lotte Wubben – Moy, Millie Turner and Esme Morgan , midfielders Ella Toone, Niamh Charles and Katie Zelem, and forward Rinsola Babajide.”

Head coach Phil Neville said: “This is a critical moment in our development of England Women. Every ca mp from now on is aimed at building a team capable of competing for the highest honours in world football, including the prestigious home EURO in 2022 and, ultimately, the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.

“All the youngsters who have been given their opportunity today are extremely deserving of their senior call-ups, having performed strongly at club level and through England’s development teams. Now is their opportunity to prove themselves at senior international level and I am excited to see the blend of youthful ambition and senior experience.“

“Introducing greater competition for places and providing opportunities for young players to develop is absolutely key to taking England Women to the next level as we begin the long build towards the home EURO and FIFA Women’s World Cup.”

“The Lionesses will meet up for the first time since March’s SheBelieves Tournament next Tuesday (15 September) for an intensive training camp at their Burton base. The seven-day camp will also include an 11v11 training game behind closed doors on Friday 18 September.”

Arsenal Women international call-ups

15 September 2020

The Euro 2022 qualifiers are back after a long break due to the Covid-19 pandemic and most of the Arsenal squad will be on international duty in the next few days.

Katie McCabe (Ireland)

Away to Germany, a key game in term of qualification. Game will be played in Essen, 19 Sep ko 1300.

Lia Walti, Malin Gut, Noelle Maritz (Switzerland)

They will be away to Croatia 18 September ko 1630 in Zapresic. Then at home to Belgium for a key game 22 September in Thun ko 1800.

Leonie Maier (Germany)

They are at home to Ireland 19 September ko 1300 in Essen, then away to Montenegro 22 September ko 1507 in Podgorica.

Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Jordan Nobbs, Lotte Wubben-Moy (England)

The Euro 2022 hosts have no friendlies planned in this international window and therefore have organised a training camp only.

Danielle Van de Donk, Jill Roord, Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands)

The holders are away to Russia, 18 September ko 1500 in Moscow.

 

Manuela Zinsberger, Viktoria Schnaderbeck (Austria)

They will be away to Kazakhstan. Game played on 22 September at 11 in Shymkent.

Kim Little, Jennifer Beattie (Scotland) no call-up

Their September qualifiers, Cyprus v Scotland and Scotland v Portugal have been postponed to February 21 by UEFA.

Lydia Williams, Stephanie Catley, Caitlin Foord (Australia)

No call-up in this international window.

Hopefully, all the players will come back with a clean bill of health as our next game is the North London derby at home in the FA Women’s Cup final 2019/20 quarter-final.

Three  days later will be the semi-final against either Leicester or Manchester City.

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