Image: Leah Williamson with England in 2022. Photo by Ryanasman1 via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. No changes made.
England captain Leah Williamson will miss the Lionesses' upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Ukraine after being ruled out with a hamstring injury.
The Arsenal defender had been following a rehabilitation programme in the hope of being available, but England will now travel to Spain without their captain for Friday's key qualifier.
Grace Fisk called into the England squad
Liverpool captain Grace Fisk has been added to Sarina Wiegman's squad as Williamson's replacement. Brighton goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley has also been called up to provide cover.
Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating will miss the Spain match while following return-to-play concussion protocols. A further assessment will determine whether she can be available when England face Ukraine.
Spain fixture carries major weight
England go into the Spain game at the top of their qualifying group. They have won four matches from four and hold a three-point advantage over the world champions.
Avoiding defeat in Spain would secure qualification for next year's World Cup in Brazil. The Lionesses then return home to face Ukraine at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday, 9 June.
Williamson's absence is a setback for a side preparing for its most important match of the campaign so far. England still have the opportunity to complete the job in Spain, but they will have to do it without one of their most experienced defenders.
Sources: BBC Sport and Sky Sports.
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