Teenager Erica Meg Parkinson has pulled out of England’s training camp ahead of next month’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
The 18-year-old North Carolina Courage midfielder had been named in Lydia Bedford’s 24-player squad for a warm-weather camp in Portugal but has chosen to remain with her club.
Courage teammate Lauryn Thompson has also withdrawn. Both are now expected to stay with the sixth-placed NWSL side as they push for a playoff berth.
Manchester United’s Jessica Anderson and West Ham’s Sienna Wareing have been drafted in for the camp. Bedford will confirm her 21-player World Cup roster on 20 August.
Parkinson was involved with Sarina Wiegman’s senior squad for April’s fixtures against Spain and Iceland and has also featured for the Under-23s.
Arsenal’s Sophie Harwood and Jessie Gale, along with Eva Hendle—who moved to Rangers on loan from Chelsea last month—are included in the Under-20 group.
England are set to face Portugal in a friendly in Lisbon on Thursday.
This is the team’s fourth camp of the summer, having beaten Canada and Colombia, drawn with the USA, and lost to Japan.
It will be England’s first Under-20 Women’s World Cup appearance since 2018. They are grouped with Brazil, Tanzania, and Canada, and open against Canada on Saturday, 5 September.
“We’ve had a very positive summer with strong performances against top opposition,” said Bedford. “The players have risen to every challenge, and I’m pleased with our progress. With the World Cup squad announcement close, this camp is an important chance for players to stake their claim.”