James and Agyemang in England’s Euro 2025 squad

Sarina Wiegman has named Lauren James in her 23-player squad for Euro 2025 as England attempt to defend their title in Switzerland next month.

Chelsea forward James has not featured for club or country since April after picking up a hamstring injury.

But the 23-year-old, who has scored seven goals in 27 appearances for England, is a key player and manager Wiegman is willing to take a risk on her fitness.

Teenager Michelle Agyemang is an exciting addition, included as one of seven forwards in the squad, despite making just one appearance for the senior team.

The Arsenal 19-year-old impressed with a stunning goal 41 seconds into her debut after coming on as a late substitute in a 3-2 defeat by Belgium in April.

England face world number 11 side France in their opening game on 5 July (20:00 BST) and also face 10th-ranked Netherlands and Wales in a tough group. The final will be held in Basel on 27 July.

Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Aston Villa), Khiara Keating (Manchester City), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride).

Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United.

Midfielders: Ella Toone (Manchester United), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Grace Clinton (Manchester United), Jess Park (Manchester City).

Bayern Munich midfielder Georgia Stanway, who has played 60 minutes in the past week after returning from a serious knee injury, makes the squad.

As do Manchester City duo Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp, who had knee operations this season but returned at the end of the Women’s Super League campaign to ensure their place in the squad was secure.

It has been a chaotic fortnight for England with goalkeeper Mary Earps and midfielder Fran Kirby announcing their international retirements, while 2023 World Cup captain Millie Bright withdrew from selection on Wednesday to focus on her physical and mental wellbeing.

Nine players from the Euro 2022 squad are not included this time around with five having retired.

Four players are on a standby list: Brighton goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley, Manchester City midfielder Laura Blindkilde Brown, Aston Villa midfielder Missy Bo Kearns and Villa defender Lucy Parker.

James is undoubtedly one of the world’s most talented footballers and that was on show in her first major tournament at the 2023 World Cup.

It was less than a year after making her debut and she put in two player-of-the-match displays against Denmark and China in the group stages, scoring three goals and providing three assists.

She was then needlessly sent off for standing on Michelle Alozie’s back in the last-16 match with Nigeria, receiving a two-match ban. She returned for the final in Sydney, when England were beaten 1-0 by Spain.

Her creativity, exquisite dribbling ability and brilliant long-range shooting technique makes her one of the hardest players to defend against.

Wiegman often uses James as a winger, interchanging with Manchester City’s Hemp on the opposite side, but she can also play as a number 10.

Goalkeeper Mary Earps – who started every game for England at Euro 2022 and the 2023 World Cup – announced her shock international retirement last week.

She had fallen down the pecking order with Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton looking increasingly likely to secure the number one spot for this summer’s championship.

Brighton midfielder Fran Kirby followed suit, stepping down from England duty an hour after full-time of England’s 2-1 defeat by Spain on Tuesday night.

She said she was told by manager Wiegman that she would not be selected for the Euro 2025 squad and therefore brought her international retirement plans forward.

There was a further blow on Wednesday morning when Chelsea defender Bright, who captained England to the World Cup final two years ago, withdrew from selection to look after her mental health.

Last month Manchester United defender Millie Turner fractured her foot, ruling her out of contention, albeit she had an outside chance of selection.