England to give Lauren James time to prove fitness for Euro 2025 final

England are set to give Lauren James as long as possible to prove her fitness for the European Championship final.

Chelsea forward James was brought off for Beth Mead at half-time during Tuesday’s semi-final against Italy and was seen with ice around her right ankle during the second half.

Manager Sarina Wiegman has revealed James is still working her way back to fitness and she remains unsure whether the 23-year-old will be available to face Spain in Sunday’s showpiece.

“She’s still recovering,” Wiegman said on Friday. “She’s doing things on the pitch and we have two more days so we’re going to give her time.

“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.”

Wiegman then confirmed on Saturday that James and the rest of the squad had successfully completed training without issue.

James has scored twice at this tournament, both goals coming against the Netherlands in the group stage, and is one of England’s key creative players, one that former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes called the “most naturally gifted footballer in the country” in November 2023.

James has been at Women’s Super League champions Chelsea since rejoining in the summer of 2021 from Manchester United , after spending time at the London side’s academy.

The Lionesses turned around a one-goal deficit against Italy to win the game 2-1 after extra time to set up a reunion with Spain, the reigning world champions.

The game in Basel will be the second time in as many major tournaments that England have faced Spain, after losing the 2023 World Cup final to them.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic .

England, Women's Soccer, Women's Euros

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