European Championship: Leah Williamson Set To Start For England After Year-Long Absence

Sarina Wiegman confirmed that Leah Williamson will start for England in their European Championship qualifier against the Republic of Ireland. (More Football News)

The Arsenal defender is set to make her Lionesses comeback after nearly a year out following an ACL injury.

Williamson made the bench for England바카라�s 1-1 draw against Sweden in Group A3 on Friday, but when asked if she would be starting against Ireland in a pre-match press conference, head coach Wiegman replied: 바카라�Yep.바카라�

Tuesday바카라�s game will be Williamson바카라�s first for the Lionesses since a friendly against Australia last April and Wiegman highlighted the 27-year-old바카라�s strengths.

바카라�We바카라�ve had hard choices to make in the team because I think the competitiveness is really high and we have many options in different positions,바카라� she said.

바카라�I think what Leah brings us is vision, in possession she바카라�s just very bright and finds the right pass.

바카라�The flexibility, the defence, being able to defend the space behind her together with everyone else, because defending doesn바카라�t just start with one player, it starts with the team, and I hope Leah will bring that to the team tomorrow.바카라�

Williamson바카라�s England return was slightly delayed after she was forced to withdraw from the squad in February for friendly matches due to a hamstring strain, but she admitted her aim was to be 바카라�good enough바카라� to return to the team.

바카라�I바카라�ve enjoyed watching the girls, I바카라�ve enjoyed being part of that journey in a different way, obviously I바카라�ve got people that play for the team who are very important to me,바카라� Williamson said.

바카라�It바카라�s been a difficult journey, I바카라�d be lying if I said this wasn바카라�t the thing I바카라�d had my focus on, this is where I wanted to get back to. I wanted to be good enough to get back into this squad, I바카라�ve had some of the best memories of my life as part of this team.바카라�

England began their qualifying campaign with a draw against Sweden after Fridolina Rolfo cancelled out Alessia Russo바카라�s opener.

Ireland were narrowly beaten 1-0 by France in their opener on Thursday and Wiegman is determined not to underestimate them at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

바카라�They were promoted to this group and I think don바카라�t underestimate anyone, especially not Ireland,바카라� she said.

바카라�They바카라�ve had a 1-0 result against France, that was really good. What we expect is they are a physical team and are very well-organised, so they can play the counter attack.

바카라�You can try to take that opportunity and moments that they will probably jump and press out, so we have to be aware of that. We바카라�re definitely going to think that바카라�s hard to break down their defence.바카라�

Williamson is also expecting a 바카라�disciplined바카라� performance from Ireland, who are led by Arsenal team-mate Katie McCabe.

바카라�I바카라�m expecting them to be really disciplined in the way they defend, we saw a 1-0 result against France so I think it바카라�s going to be a test for us to move the ball and move them, I see those battles,바카라� Williamson added.

바카라�Obviously they바카라�ve got key players up top but also a strong defensive line as well, I know all those girls really well so it바카라�s going to be a good one.바카라�