Lauren James ruled out of England’s Euro 2025 qualifiers against France | England women’s football team

Chelsea striker Lauren James has a foot problem and will not be available for England’s back-to-back Euro 2025 qualifiers against France, Sarina Wiegmann has confirmed.

“No, not everyone is available for selection,” Wiegman said. “Lauren James didn’t make it, so she won’t be cast. Jess Naz will be eligible. She had foot problems in the club and we were hoping she could be fit for tomorrow [but she could not].”

The Lionesses play France at St James’ Park on Friday night before traveling to St Etienne for the second leg in the A3 qualifiers on Tuesday and the manager has confirmed that James will not feature in either game. “Of course it’s a disappointment,” Wiegman added. “She’s done everything and we’ve done everything, but it’s just not enough. Jess is ready. She has shown good things this week in training so we have to move forward.”

Naz was on the reserve list of four players who trained with the team to keep them fit should there be an injury lay-off after the end of the season. She is the second player he has called up after Maya Le Tissier was included following injuries to Niamh Charles and Lotte Wubben-Moy.

Meanwhile, Southampton goalkeeper Kayla Rendell dropped off the reserve list and was replaced by Lucy Thomas. “It’s a little bit of a bigger group, obviously, related to this window and the July window, and they’ve done well,” Wigman said of those on the standby list. “What I said to them at the start of the week was, ‘You’re here now, you’re probably looking at some players, but now it’s your job to challenge them and try to come from a bench spot in the team. so just go out there, be level and play,” and just enjoy yourself, and that’s exactly what they did. They are like a sponge, they really want to absorb everything.

France manager Herve Renard named England favorites for Friday night’s clash. “No, we are not favourites,” he said, despite France topping the group.

“When you’re playing against the World Cup runners-up and the European champions, you can’t be favourites, but that’s not important. To be sure, we are not here just to visit Newcastle, we are here to play a competitive game. It’s going to be a fantastic atmosphere and even when it’s against you, it’s also pushing you. We know the atmosphere in English stadiums is amazing so we are looking forward to this very interesting game.”

England captain Leah Williamson said in response: “I think if you go off the paper, obviously we’re the reigning European champions of this tournament. But it’s easy to forget that we’re still in the qualifiers. Many things have changed. France has always been a top team even though they haven’t won [it]. They are always shown as favorites in many of their games as well. I see it as pretty even to be honest. But if we have to accept that label, then we do. It was consistent for us. We knew the win would put a target on our back, but it’s a nice place to be.”