Ella Toone: The Missing Midfielder at Manchester United and England

Toone, the winner of the Euros in 2022, was unable to play in United's 2-0 victory against Leicester on 17 November due to a calf injury she sustained during training.

It was the first WSL match where Toone didn't start for the club in 96 games.

Ella Toone: How long will the England international be out for?

United manager Marc Skinner has said Toone will be out for six weeks which means she will not be able to play in the Lionesses' final games of 2024.

She may also miss WSL games for United against Liverpool and Crystal Palace. Skinner added they will keep assessing their star player as she rehabs her injury.

Toone is not the only player to miss out on the England squad through injury. Lauren Hemp is also sidelined after having knee surgery.

Hemp's club Manchester City has not put a timeline on her return to the pitch.

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Chelsea pair Lauren James and Niamh Charles are also not available because of injury.

Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman was asked about her injury-hit squad in a press conference for the team announcement before England play the USA and Switzerland on 30 November and 3 December respectively.

In FourFourTwo's view Wiegman should use the injuries as an opportunity to give more experience to younger players. The Lionesses boss said: "That's part of football, and unfortunately you want the best team or the best players in your squad all the time.

"But sometimes players are injured or not available for a reason, and then other players have the opportunity to step up and show, that's how we approach it all the time."

The England squad does feature Gabby George, who has been recalled for the first time since rupturing her ACL.

Who is in the England squad?

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Paris saint-Germain), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride)

Defenders: Mille Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham), Gabby George (Manchester United), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Millie Turner (Manchester United), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Grace Clinton (Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jess Park (Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Ruby Mace (Leicester City)

Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Jess Naz (Tottenham Hotspur), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)