Wiegman makes tough call to drop Kelly from squad

Lionesses coach says winger 'needs minute' with Arsenal as she calls up in-form Nikita Parris for Portugal and Spain ties

- JAMIE BRAIDWOOD

Sarina Wiegman has not closed the door on Chloe Kelly making England's squad for this summer's European Championships but has told the winger she needs "minutes" after the manager decided to drop her ahead of Nations League games against Portugal and Spain this month.

Kelly has barely played in the Women's Super League this season but sealed a deadline-day loan move from Manchester City to Arsenal after an unhappy spell out of the team under previous manager Gareth Taylor. The 27-year-old has yet to make her first appearance for Arsenal because their first two fixtures were against City and she was ineligible to face her parent club.

Wiegman revealed that she had a "good conversation" with Kelly and said the scorer of England's winning goal in the Euros final understood her decision to leave her out due to lack of game time. Kelly said in a statement after asking to leave City that she "wanted to be happy again" and Wiegman wants to see the winger return to action and show her level before this summer's Euros.