Ella Toone has been recalled to the England squad for the Women's World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Ukraine, ending an absence that stretched back to November owing to a hip injury that wiped out the second half of her Women's Super League season.

Manchester United's 26-year-old midfielder was last involved when she scored in England's 8-0 win over China. A troublesome hip complaint then kept her sidelined for months, but manager Sarina Wiegman has seen enough to bring her back into a 25-player group with everything still to play for in qualification.

"It's great to have her back and to see her on the pitch is really great. I think she is really ready to come back," Wiegman told BBC Radio 5 Live. "In her funny way, she told me in April when she came over to say hi: 'Yes, I'm a number 10, I can still play!' It's good to have her back."

Bronze included despite fitness concern

Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze is also in the squad despite being absent from Saturday's WSL match against Manchester United and having been spotted wearing a protective boot. The 34-year-old has started three of England's four qualifying games and remains a key figure in the defensive unit, though there must be a degree of caution around her availability for both fixtures.

Wiegman was measured in her assessment: "Lucy has a small injury. It's a precaution. We do expect she will be back. There's two weeks to go, so we expect her to be ready."

Other returners and notable omissions

Chelsea striker Aggie Beever-Jones and London City Lionesses forward Freya Godfrey both missed the previous camp through injury and come back in. Their returns give Wiegman more options in the attacking third ahead of what promises to be an intense fortnight.

There are, however, notable absences. Erica Meg Parkinson, the 18-year-old midfielder who earned a surprise call-up in March, is not included this time around. Everton defender Ruby Mace, who has been in good form, again misses out. Manchester City's Grace Clinton is still without a squad place after a difficult season disrupted by injury following her summer move from Manchester United.

Wiegman acknowledged Clinton's frustrating campaign but placed the onus firmly on the player: "She came into a very good environment, really enjoyed it, but had some setbacks with injury. Now the next step is that she shows up and gets more minutes. There is big competition going on there. She should keep stepping up and showing what she can do."

What is at stake

England currently lead their qualifying group with four wins from four, a run that includes a crucial 1-0 victory over Spain at Wembley in April. The schedule now demands they travel to Spain on 5 June (kick-off 20:00 BST) before hosting Ukraine at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on 9 June (20:00 BST).

Win both and England qualify automatically for next summer's World Cup in Brazil, bypassing the play-off route entirely. Wiegman is clear about the priority: "We look at the bigger picture and that's to qualify for the World Cup. Then we really want to do it as quickly as possible. We have the first opportunity when we play Spain away. We know that is a hell of a challenge — for them also — because I think we are both very good teams."

With Toone fit and firing again, and the squad largely intact, England will feel cautiously optimistic that they can secure their place in Brazil before the month is out.

Full squad

  • Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride), Ellie Roebuck (Aston Villa)
  • Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Taylor Hinds (Arsenal), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
  • Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Lucia Kendall (Aston Villa), Jess Park (Manchester United), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Chelsea)
  • Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Arsenal), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)

Frequently asked

Why was Ella Toone left out of England's squad?
Ella Toone missed England's recent squads due to a hip injury that ruled her out for the second half of the Women's Super League season. She has now recovered and been recalled by Sarina Wiegman for the World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Ukraine.
When do England play their next Women's World Cup qualifiers?
England travel to Spain on 5 June (kick-off 20:00 BST) and then host Ukraine at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on 9 June (20:00 BST). Win both and they qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup in Brazil.
How are England doing in Women's World Cup qualifying?
England top their qualifying group with four wins from four matches. That run includes a 1-0 win over Spain at Wembley in April, which makes the away fixture in June a pivotal rematch between the group's two strongest sides.