Williamson's Determined Bid for Fitness Ahead of Spain Showdown

To understand the significance of the England vs Spain match to the players, one need look no further than Leah Williamson. Despite not playing 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 were not visiting, Williamson would likely not be considered for the starting lineup due to the numerous crucial games upcoming for both club and country. However, she has been putting in extra effort by privately working with the medical team and participating in all tactical preparations at St George's Park. The stakes are high, as only the group's top team is guaranteed a spot in the World Cup, making this match potentially decisive for who will travel to Brazil. Williamson's determination to participate is evident, and if she is not risked, the centre-back partnership may fall to two of England's most patient players. Lotte Wubben-Moy and Esme Morgan are among those vying for a spot, and both have seen game time in recent qualifiers. Wubben-Moy, the ultimate squad player, has been an unused substitute in major tournaments and has only 16 appearances since her first call-up nearly six years ago. She has spoken about her doubts throughout her international career but has a unique perspective on the game, closely analyzing her performances and physical fitness with her partner. Wubben-Moy also prioritizes community work, which provides her with a broader perspective on the sport. In contrast, Morgan's path to becoming a starting centre-back has been marked by a significant career risk - moving from Manchester City to Washington Spirit. This move has paid off, as Morgan has developed substantially and played a crucial role in her club's back-to-back NWSL Championship games. If Morgan and Wubben-Moy were to start together at Wembley, it would be a moment of culmination for the two players, who were first called up to the national team in the same camp in 2020.