England boss Sarina Wiegman is set to cut her 28-player provisional squad for Euro 2022 down to 23 on Wednesday (June 15th). 

There were few surprises when Wiegman named her provisional squad last month, although fans were left disappointed when Jordan Nobbs was omitted due to injury. 

The selected 28 players have since been training at St George’s Park under Wiegman’s watchful eye, with Steph Houghton, Fran Kirby and Chloe Kelly in particular needing to prove their fitness after recovering from injury and illness. 

GiveMeSport Women selects the five players who are likely to be cut for the provisional squad. 

Sandy MacIver

Sandy MacIver is a victim to the abundance of goalkeeping talent in English women’s football. 

The 23-year-old would likely be a shoo-in for any other national team, but with Mary Earps, Ellie Roebuck and Hannah Hampton ahead of her for England, she is unlikely to make it into the final squad for Euro 2022. 

Steph Houghton

The debate about including Steph Houghton in the final Euro 2022 squad is already raging. 

The former England captain has missed the majority of the season after struggling with an Achilles injury, and has subsequently fallen far down the centre-back pecking order. 

There is the argument Houghton could provide wisdom to a youthful Euro 2022 squad, but including the 34-year-old would prevent a younger defender, such as Lotte Wubben-Moy, from gaining essential tournament experience. 

Selecting a player who is still battling for fitness does not make sense – Houghton should be taken to Euro 2022, but in a non-playing role. 

Lucy Staniforth

Lucy Staniforth is a talented midfielder with international experience under her belt, having played at the 2019 Women’s World Cup. 

But with Leah Williamson moving up into a midfield role for England, Staniforth is unlikely to make the final cut. 

Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh will certainly be selected ahead of the 29-year-old, and Jill Scott impressed enough at the Arnold Clark Cup to justify a place in the Euro 2022 squad. 

Staniforth could make the cut if Fran Kirby can’t prove she’s fit enough in time, but that is a big if. 

Katie Zelem

Katie Zelem is in a similar situation to her Manchester United teammate Lucy Staniforth. 

She is an accomplished midfielder who is coming off the back of a successful Women’s Super League season, but the competition in England’s midfield will likely end up being too high for Zelem.

Nikita Parris

This may be more of a controversial pick, but Nikita Parris struggled to find her form in the WSL last season and is at risk of being dropped from England’s Euro 2022 squad. 

With Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Beth England, Alessia Russo and Ellen White ahead of her in the attacking line up, Parris is unlikely to find many minutes at this summer’s tournament. 

Her main competition for the final spot in the England squad is Niamh Charles, who can offer versatility as both a defender and attacker for the Lionesses. As a result, Wiegman may well go with the latter player.