Culture Axis: New Preds, Messi answers 'Stoke' question & more

Flimsy Liverpool risk letting down Messi-like Salah in title race

The Curious Case of Marcelo

Man Utd three-peat or MLS? Pogba's transfer options - ranked

UCL Power Rankings: Barca No.1 after lucky draw as Liverpool fall

Editors' Picks

Walker’s wife Kilner jets to Dubai for night out with Rooney

Antony's hot Betis start is over as Barca flop Roque sees red

'I regret leaving Barca' - Former wonderkid admits mistake after Camp Nou exit

Bompastor admits 'lying for 13 years' over secret relationship

UCL last-16 draw: Liverpool land PSG, Arsenal face PSV

INEOS to distance Man Utd from past as Ferguson blamed for struggles

Maguire, you lucky boy! VAR & Bruno save despairing Amorim

Title race run? Lewis-Skelly red card madness costs Arsenal

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Hemp &amp; Greenwood had knee surgeries before Christmas</li><li>Stanway endured same fate in late January </li><li>Wiegman speaks on availability for Euro 2025</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'I'm hopeful' - Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman optimistic as Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood & Georgia Stanway all look to recover from knee surgeries to make Euro 2025 squad

UEFA Nations League A

England

Spain

<p>The Lionesses trio have all had knee surgeries in recent months, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/en/lists/man-city-lionesses-lauren-hemp-surgery-knee-wsl-title/bltf228f0152bbcddb3" target="_blank">Hemp's coming in November</a>, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/man-city-injury-update-alex-greenwood-lionesses-joins-lauren-hemp-vivianne-miedema-khadija-shaw-absentees/bltc1054c0aa71676bc" target="_blank">Greenwood's in December</a> and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/georgia-stanway-s-euro-2025-participation-thrown-into-doubt-as-lionesses-and-bayern-munich-star-undergoes-surgery-after-horror-injury-blow-in-training/blt54ab381f46e80ad3" target="_blank">Stanway's at the end of January</a>. With England's European title defence set to begin in early July, it is only natural that some fans are concerned about the fitness of these three key players ahead of this summer's tournament.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Stanway's absence in particular highlights a lack of depth in the deeper midfield roles, with the Bayern Munich star a real stalwart in the middle alongside Keira Walsh. There is a lot of competition for the No.10 position in front of that duo, but not so much in their own spots.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Asked about the three absentees when revealing her squad for England's February fixtures, Wiegman said: "They'll be out for a while. Of course, you're always concerned when someone is injured. I think they're all in a good place at the moment but it will take a little longer, and I just hope the recovery goes really well and they get some minutes later on, and are fresh and fit and show the performances."</p><p>Asked if she is hopeful that Stanway, whose surgery was only at the end of January, will be fit or if she is a real doubt for the summer, Wiegman replied: "I'm hopeful. Georgia has a plan and she's really committed and very motivated to be back. She had surgery. That went well. I spoke to her and she's in a good place now. Of course, it's first about her health and then coming back, but she knows where she wants to go to, where she wants to be at a certain moment. Let's hope that goes that way."</p>

WHAT WIEGMAN SAID

<p>Grace Clinton, the Manchester United starlet, is one player Wiegman has used in Stanway's box-to-box role before and the England boss reiterated on Tuesday that she believes the 21-year-old can excel there. Laura Blindkilde Brown, who won her first camp in December, is another versatile option who has operated in a deeper midfield role for Manchester City this season.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>For now, England will be without Hemp, Greenwood and Stanway as their Nations League campaign begins later this month. The Lionesses first travel to Portugal to take on Francisco Neto's side on February 21, before welcoming Spain, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/spain-queens-world-football-winners-losers-aitana-bonmati-england-lioneeses-lucy-bronze-world-cup-final/blt04b557c79149dd42" target="_blank">the world champions</a>, to Wembley on February 26.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

'I'm hopeful' - Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman optimistic as Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood & Georgia Stanway all look to recover from knee surgeries to make Euro 2025 squad | Goal.com

England boss Sarina Wiegman is optimistic about the chances of Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood and Georgia Stanway being available for Euro 2025.

&apos;I&apos;m hopeful&apos; - Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman optimistic as Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood &amp; Georgia Stanway all look to recover from knee surgeries to make Euro 2025 squad

Next Match