Hemp to miss England matches after knee surgery

Manchester City forward Lauren Hemp has had surgery on a knee injury, ruling her out of England's upcoming friendlies with the United States and Switzerland.

Hemp missed City's past two matches, including Saturday's 2-0 defeat by title rivals Chelsea, but the club has not specified the nature of the injury or how long she will be out.

"Everyone at Manchester City would like to wish Lauren the very best on her road to recovery," City said in a statement.

The 24-year-old has been one of the standout players in the Women's Super League this season, scoring twice and assisting five in seven matches.

Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone, 25, is also ruled out for England with a calf injury.

She missed United's 2-0 victory over Leicester on Sunday - the first time in 96 league games she has not started.

"Ella picked up an injury in training the day before the Leicester game. She took a calf injury in a small, bottled session," said United manager Marc Skinner.

"She will definitely miss the [next] two games [with United], she will miss the international window and we will then see if she is back after that."

There are several injury concerns for Sarina Wiegman.

Chelsea duo Lauren James and Niamh Charles missed October's friendly defeat by Germany and win over South Africa with injuries and have still not returned.

Aston Villa defender Lucy Parker is also absent for "several weeks" because of an ankle injury she picked up earlier this month.

It means there are first senior international call-ups for Manchester City midfielder Laura Blindkilde Brown and Leicester City's Ruby Mace, who progress from the Under-23s.

Manchester United defender Gabby George is named in the squad for the first time since November 2022.

The Lionesses face Emma Hayes' USA at Wembley Stadium on 30 November (17:20 GMT), before welcoming Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland in Sheffield on 3 December (19:45 GMT).

The last time England faced the USA was in October 2022 when they won 2-1 thanks to goals from Hemp and Georgia Stanway.

The friendlies mark the countdown to the start of Euro 2025 when Wiegman's side will defend their European crown in Switzerland from 2-27 July.

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Paris St-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)