ENGLAND SQUAD: Clinton drafted in as Kendall withdraws

ENGLAND SQUAD: Clinton drafted in as Kendall withdraws Manchester City midfielder Grace Clinton has been called into the England squad to cover for Aston Villa’s Lucia Kendall. WSL Full-Time were informed of the news via an official media update from The Football Association this afternoon. It has been reported that Kendall is continuing to manage a minor injury and she has therefore been forced to return to club ahead of schedule. Clinton has been drafted in as a replacement, although she will not link-up with the England squad until they return to the UK following this evening’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 qualifying round one play-off tie against Greece in Crete. Clinton will be available for selection for the return leg in Leicester on Tuesday night. Kendall is the second player to withdraw from the England squad during the current international window. Chelsea’s Lucy Bronze also dropped out earlier this week due to a minor injury with Ella Toone coming in as her replacement. The two-legged ties against Greece form part of a two-tier FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 qualification system through the play-offs. Should the Lionesses be successful, they will face either Slovakia or Ukraine in a round two play-off. The winners of that tie will then qualify for the tournament finals. England’s first leg round one play-off tie against Greece kicks-off at 5.30pm this evening.