Williamson's Determined Bid to Face Spain

To understand the significance of the England vs Spain match for the players, look no further than Leah Williamson. Despite having not played for almost a month, the Lionesses captain is working tirelessly to prove her fitness and lead her team at Wembley on Tuesday. If the world champions weren't visiting, Williamson might not be in contention to start, given the numerous crucial games for club and country in the next two months. However, she has been putting in extra effort, working privately with the medical team and participating in tactical preparations at St George's Park. The stakes are high, as only the team topping the four-nation group is guaranteed a spot in the World Cup, making this match a potential decider for who goes to Brazil. Williamson is determined not to miss out on this pivotal game. Alternatively, if she is not risked, the centre-back partnership could consist of two of England's most patient players. Lotte Wubben-Moy and Esme Morgan are vying for a spot alongside Jess Carter, Alex Greenwood, and Maya Le Tissier, having both received game-time during recent qualifiers. Wubben-Moy has been the ultimate squad player, with limited appearances since her first call-up almost six years ago. She has been working closely with her partner Tao Geoghan-Hart to analyze her performances and optimize her physical fitness. Wubben-Moy also prioritizes community work, which helps her keep the demands of football in perspective. Morgan's journey to becoming a starting centre-back has been different, having taken a significant career risk by moving to Washington Spirit from Manchester City. The move has paid off, with Morgan developing substantially and playing a key role in her club's back-to-back NWSL Championship games. If Morgan and Wubben-Moy line up together at Wembley, it would be a full-circle moment, having been called up together for the first time in 2020. They have spent many hours on the bench together, and now they may be England's most crucial players as they face the world's number one ranked nation.