‘Really disappointing’ - Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman admits Steph Houghton absence a setback ahead of Arnold Clark Cup

Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman has admitted that it was “really disappointing” not to be able to include Steph Houghton in her England squad for the inaugural Arnold Clark Cup this month. Following her squad announcement for the tournament, where England will face Germany, Canada and Spain in preparation for Euro 2022 in the summer, Wiegman was asked about Houghton’s absence and conceded that it was frustrating not to be able to select her captain.

Ad/> “You’re always disappointed when you can’t bring in a player who you really want to bring in,” she said. “Beth England is not available either, but with Steph, it’s really disappointing because she has been out for a long time already.

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“So, yes, that was disappointing, for her in the first place but also for our team.” Houghton struggled with an Achilles problem last year and, having battled her way back into contention for England’s World Cup qualifying games against North Macedonia and Luxembourg in September, suffered an injury in training which kept her out for four months. Guro Reiten strikes to secure win for Chelsea over Manchester City in WSL Stina Blackstenius on target as Arsenal fight back to draw with Manchester United 'The easiest decision I've ever made' — Steph Houghton extends Manchester City contract While she managed to make a handful of appearances in the Women’s Super League in January, Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor confirmed last week that she had “had