England captain Millie Bright is ruled out of Nations League double-header against the Netherlands and Scotland with a knee injury… as the Lionesses are dealt a major blow ahead of must-win matches

• Millie Bright has been ruled out of England’s two matches next month
• England need to win both matches as they bid to qualify for the Olympics 
• Nobody’s fooled by the nature of Man United’s performances this season – IAKO

England have been dealt a huge injury blow with captain Millie Bright ruled out of next month’s must-win Nations League fixtures.

The centre back withdrew from the squad yesterday after suffering a flare up of the knee injury she sustained last season.

Sarina Wiegman’s side face the Netherlands at Wembley on December 1 before taking on Scotland at Hampden Park four days later.

England need to win both fixtures to have any chance of qualifying for next year’s Olympic Games after last month’s defeat by Belgium left them third in Group A.

The Lionesses must win their group to progress to the semi-finals of the Nations League, with only the two teams who make the final guaranteed a place in Paris.

Captain Millie Bright has been forced to withdraw from the England squad with a knee injury

Losing Bright is a big blow for manager Sarina Wiegman ahead of two must-win games

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Losing Bright is a huge set-back for Wiegman. The defender has served as captain since Leah Williamson ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in April. Mary Earps will now wear the armband in Bright’s absence.

Bright missed the last three months of the 2022-2023 campaign after undergoing surgery but recovered in time to take part in the World Cup, where she played every game for the Lionesses.

But Chelsea boss Emma Hayes had warned that Bright may not be fit for her country after missing the Blues’ 5-1 victory over Liverpool.

‘Her preparation going into the World Cup wasn’t ideal,’ Hayes said. ‘She probably rushed herself back and she’s also come back after the World Cup and quickly into the Chelseas season.

‘Perhaps she needed a little bit longer. Her knee is a little bit angry at the minute. It is not anything too detrimental. We’re just listening to her body. We’re going to take decisions on a day-by-day basis.’

Bright subsequently missed Chelsea’s Champions League victory over Paris FC on Thursday and made the decision to withdraw from the England squad.

Manchester United centre back Millie Turner has replaced Bright in the squad.

Bright has been replaced in the Lionesses squad by Man United’s Millie Turner (pictured)

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