England vs Portugal LIVE: Women’s Nations League updates and team news

It looks like it may be a back five for Portugal again, much like they used to frustrate England in February.

Portugal XI: Pereira; Borges, Costa, F. Pinto; Norton, Jacinto, Do. Silva (capt.), T. Pinto, Amado; Capeta, Di. Silva.

Aggie Beever-Jones is given another opportunity up front, with Lauren Hemp back in the side after injury.

England XI: Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Morgan, Carter; Walsh, Clinton, Park; Mead, Beever-Jones, Hemp.

Lauren Hemp, Georgia Stanway and Alex Greenwood are all back in the England squad after long-term injury lay-offs.

Hemp and Greenwood returned to play in Manchester City’s final game of the season but Stanway was named in the England squad despite not playing any games this year. The midfielder suffered a knee injury in Bayern Munich training in January.

Sarina Wiegman said England are trying their “very best” to support their players’ mental health. Wiegman also said she hopes Millie Bright will be back in time to be apart of their Euros squad.

“She has to take care of herself, we’ll stay in contact and I hope she feels better soon. I hope that she takes the time that will help her to get settled again in time for the Euros.

“We absolutely try our very, very best. I hope players experience it that way too. Of course, in our journey so far, things have changed massively but it also comes with higher demands and we have to adapt to that and that’s not always easy.”

England captain Leah Williamson said she was “devastated” to hear Mary Earps’ decision to retire and said the Lionesses would have had a better chance of winning the Euros with the goalkeeper in the squad.

“She’s one of my closest friends in football in terms of what we’ve been through together, the journey that we’ve been on so I’m devastated just because I love her, I love being her teammate,” Williamson said.

“The way that she wears the England shirt is an example to us all so I’m very sad, but for her, she thinks this is the best thing and I’ll support her in that always.

“I know playing for a country meant everything to her. So for her to come to that decision, I will always respect that first, and I care about Mary as a human first before a footballer.

“But of course, we’re a team and we want to win, and Mary in that team gives us a better chance of winning. I know that to be true.”

Lauren James was not named in England’s squad for the Nations League finale due to a hamstring injury which ruled the forward out of the end of Chelsea’s season.

But Sarina Wiegman offered a more encouraging update on her fitness ahead of the Euros, with England naming their squad for the tournament next week.

“We want to get her back for the Euros and she wants that too,” Wiegman said. “So far she has ticked the boxes that she needs to tick. We just hope she keeps moving forward so that she can join the team later on.”

Alessia Russo and Ella Toone will play no part in tonight’s match against Portugal due to calf injuries, but could return in time to face Spain on Tuesday.

Russo is one of five Arsenal players in the England squad to have won the Women’s Champions League last week. Leah Williamson, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead and Lotte Wubben-Moy are available.

Aggie Beever-Jones, Nikita Parris or even Michelle Agyemang could replace Russo up front for the Lionesses.

England vice-captain Millie Bright has decided to take a break before the Euros after revealing she was physically and mentally burnt out.

The Chelsea defender has withdrawn from the squad to face Portugal and Spain, with the FA saying she was taking an “extended period of recovery”.

“I think mentally and physically I’m at my limits, which is why I’m not at camp,” Bright said on her podcast with Rachel Daly.

“That is a really hard decision but I think you know better than anyone as well. Sometimes you just have to take that time for yourself.

“You need to value yourself and your mental health and body, and just say that no, right now is not the time for you.”

England coach Sarina Wiegman admits she was left “disappointed” and “sad” by Mary Earps’ decision to retire before Euro 2025.

Earps has opted to call time on her availability for the Lionesses just five weeks before the European Championship.

“I just want to keep it that I’m disappointed and I’m sad,” said the England boss. “I want her in the team and I just want to express the same things that I already have and I want to keep it that way.

“She has done such a great job for England. She has made a massive difference and we have had an incredible journey so far and I really cherish that.

“There have been a couple of conversations which I don’t want to share here because they are between us. It’s hard and it’s hard for her at the same time.”

There’s only been one talking point before this evening’s match at Wembley: Mary Earps’ retirement from England duty ahead of this summer’s Euro 2025.

The goalkeeper announced in a statement on Tuesday: “I have taken the difficult decision to retire internationally. It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life, to wear this badge, represent my country and play alongside such an incredible group of players.

“I’ve spent a long time making this decision and it’s not one I’ve made lightly. For me, ultimately this is the right time for me to step aside and give the younger generation an opportunity to thrive.

“Winning the Euros in 2022 was the best day of my life, and I’m rooting for the girls to do it again this summer.”