LONDON — England midfielder Fran Kirby and striker Chloe Kelly are back in the squad after injury to face world champions the United States and the Czech Republic in next month’s friendlies.
England manager Sarina Wiegman also named West Ham United defender Lucy Parker and Everton striker Jessica Park to the squad for the first time on Tuesday.
Chelsea’s Kirby and Manchester City’s Kelly, who helped England win this year’s European Championship, are back after missing September’s World Cup qualifiers.
England will play at Wembley Stadium against the United States on October 7 for the first time since lifting their first major trophy in front of record crowds last July and face the Czechs at Falmer Stadium in Brighton on October 11.
“It will be a special night and a big celebration for our fans, but we also know it will be a tough game against very strong opposition,” Wiegman said of the USA game.
“As it will be at Wembley, we want to be able to say ‘thank you’ to the Brighton fans.
“They played such a special role in what we all achieved and we will always have fond memories of the stadium. They created a brilliant atmosphere which inspired us on the pitch.”
England won 8-0 against Norway in the Euro 2022 group stage and beat Spain 2-1 after extra time in the quarter-finals at the South Coast Stadium.
They are now preparing for next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after successfully qualifying.
The European champions beat Luxembourg 10-0 in their final Women’s World Cup qualifier earlier this month to finish their perfect campaign on a clean note with 10 wins from 10 games, scoring 80 goals without conceding any.
“We are now firmly focused on the FIFA Women’s World Cup next summer, all of our time together is vitally important and it is an opportunity for those selected to apply themselves to the best of their abilities on and off the pitch,” added Wiegman.
“The challenge of facing the world champions is one we look forward to and it’s another tough game to measure our progress as we look to continue to take the next step forward.”
The USA game will see the FA mark 50 years since the Lionesses first game on November 18, 1972.
England team
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Sandy MacIver (Manchester City), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City)
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Lucy Parker (West Ham United), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Jessica Park (Everton, on loan from Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Katie Zelem (Manchester United)
Forwards: Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Manchester United), Ebony Salmon (Houston Dash)