England's Euro 2022 final match-winner Chloe Kelly has
been included in the Lionesses' squad for the friendlies with Germany and South
Africa despite falling out of favour at Manchester City.
Kelly, 26, scored the extra-time winner in the 2-1
victory over Germany as Sarina Wiegman's side were crowned European
champions at Wembley.
The winger has struggled for game time at Manchester City
this season and was an unused substitute for last week's 2-0 Champions
League win over European champions Barcelona, as well as the 2-1
Women's Super League win over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Aston Villa's uncapped defender Lucy Parker is also in the
25-player squad, while Lotte Wubben-Moy and Lauren James return after missing
July's Euro 2025 qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and Sweden because
of injury.
Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse retains her place in the squad,
and Aggie Beever-Jones and Jessica Naz remain after impressing in the summer
having moved across from the under-23 squad.
There is no place for defender Millie Turner or goalkeeper
Khiara Keating, while injured defender Niamh Charles also drops out.
England play Germany at Wembley on 25 October (19:30 BST)
before hosting South Africa in Coventry on 29 October (19:45 GMT).
The Lionesses have not played since a draw in Sweden on 16
July secured their place at Euro 2025.
The friendlies with Germany and South Africa mark the
countdown to the start of Euro 2025 when Wiegman's side will defend their
European crown in Switzerland from 2-27 July.
England also face Olympic champions the United States, the
number one team in the world in Fifa's rankings, at Wembley on 30 November and
Switzerland at Bramall Lane on 3 December.
"Qualifying directly for the finals provides us with a
very valuable opportunity to play four friendlies this autumn and lay the
foundations for next summer," said Wiegman.
Kelly has 'built credit' - Wiegman
Kelly has started just one WSL game for the leaders this
season - their 2-0 win over West Ham on 6 October.
But Wiegman said she had "built credit" with
England and deserved her place in the squad amid "huge competition at
Manchester City.
"She's in a hard position," added the England
boss.
Wiegman also said she was "keeping an eye" on
Kelly's City team-mate Naomi Layzell, who scored a goal and assisted another on
her Women's Champions League debut against Barcelona.
Layzell, 20, is injured but Wiegman was asked about her
during her news conference on Tuesday.
"I just hope she gets fit quickly," she added. She
did really well [against Barcelona]. She was in football paradise."
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), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya le
Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Lucy Parker
(Aston Villa), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal).
Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Manchester United),
Fran Kirby (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jess Park (Manchester City), Georgia
Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh
(Barcelona).
