Steph Houghton out but Fran Kirby in England squad for Euro 2022

The former England captain Steph Houghton will miss the Euros after not being included in the squad for next month’s tournament.

The goalkeeper Sandy MacIver also misses out, with Hannah Hampton, Ellie Roebuck and Mary Earps preferred, and the Chelsea full-back Niamh Charles and Manchester United’s Katie Zelem and Lucy Staniforth are also omitted.

The five have been training with England since being named in a 28-player provisional squad which has been cut to 23 for the tournament.

Teams can swap players in and out of the squads submitted to Uefa in the event of Covid or serious injury up until their first game.

Houghton has been in a race to prove her fitness to the manager, Sarina Wiegman, for the home Euros after she missed much of the season through injury. The Manchester City defender picked up an ankle injury during Wiegman’s first camp last September and has not played under the manager. She made her return for City in January but aggravated the injury after playing five games.

Goalkeepers Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Aston Villa), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City).

Defenders Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal).

Midfielders Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Jill Scott (free agent), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal).

Forwards Beth England (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Manchester United), Ellen White (Manchester City).

In the meantime, Chelsea’s Millie Bright and