Lauren James faces a race against time to be fit for Sunday’s Euro 2025 final, says England manager Sarina Wiegman.
The Chelsea forward was taken off at the interval in the Lionesses’ semi-final win over Italy on Tuesday with an ankle issue, and was seen on the substitutes’ bench icing her injury.
She watched her team-mates come back from a goal down to snatch an extra-time victory, thanks to goals from super-subs Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly at the death.
England face world champions Spain in a re-run of the 2023 World Cup final on Sunday in Zurich as Wiegman’s holders look to successfully complete their title defence.
James has netted twice at the tournament so far, has started all of England’s games in Switzerland.
However, Wiegman is unsure whether the winger will be available for Sunday’s showpiece.
"She's still recovering,” Wiegman said. “She's doing things on the pitch and we have two more days so we're going to give her time.
"I don't know yet [if she'll be ready], but that's what we're going to go for - 23 players available for the game on Sunday."
Kelly and 19-year-old Agyemang, both of Arsenal, are pushing for starts after their semi-final heroics, and Wiegman praised the strength in depth she had available to her, namechecking other squad players who have played crucial roles in England’s run to the final.
"It's a nice one [problem] to have, but you mention those two [Kelly and Agyemang] because they have been coming on and scoring goals,” Wiegman said.
“But I think Grace Clinton has also made a great contribution - she had to play in Keira [Walsh's] position when Keira had to come out, a very important position.
"Niamh Charles came in against Sweden and made a crucial header defensively. You can talk about more players who have made an impact coming on from the bench. It gives us headaches but I want to have those headaches.
"We look at what opponent we have in front of us and what would fit best when we start the game."
