Toone returns as England bid to seal World Cup spot
Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone has returned to the England squad for the crucial Women's World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Ukraine. The 26-year-old has not featured for the Lionesses since November because of a hip issue that ruled her out for the second half of the Women's Super League season. Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze is also included despite missing Saturday's WSL win over United and having been seen wearing a protective boot.
Bronze, 34, has started three of England's four qualifying matches but is a doubt for next week's World Sevens tournament. "It's great to have [Toone] back and to see her on the pitch is really great. I think she is really ready to come back," manager Sarina Wiegman told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"In her funny way, she told me in April when she came over to say hi: 'Yes, I'm a number 10, I can still play! ' It's good to have her back. "Lucy [Bronze] has a small injury.
It's a precaution. We do expect she will be back. There's two weeks to go, so we expect her to be ready.
" Chelsea striker Aggie Beever-Jones and London City Lionesses forward Freya Godfrey, who both missed the last camp through injury, also return. However, 18-year-old midfielder Erica Meg Parkinson is not included after her surprise call-up in March, while in-form Everton defender Ruby Mace again misses out. There is still no place in the 25-player squad for Manchester City midfielder Grace Clinton, who has fallen down the pecking order after an injury-ridden campaign.