Mary Earps pulls out of England squad for France clash with minor hip injury

England goalkeeper Mary Earps has pulled out of the squad who travel to France in a Euro 2025 qualifier on Tuesday.

The Manchester United stopper was withdrawn in the opening stages of Friday’s 2-1 defeat to Les Bleues at St James’ Park in Newcastle on what was her 50th cap.

“Mary Earps has withdrawn from the England senior women’s squad with a minor hip injury sustained during Friday’s narrow defeat by France,” read an FA statement,

“Birmingham City’s Lucy Thomas has moved to the 23-player squad from standby for Tuesday evening’s return fixture against Les Bleues in Saint-Étienne.”

Beth Mead had given the Lionesses the lead but Elisa De Almeida levelled before the break and Marie-Antoinette Katoto scored the winner.

Defending European champions England are now third in Group A3 behind both the French and Sweden and defeat on Tuesday would leave them well off the pace in the battle to finish top.

The top two sides in each group will automatically qualify for next summer’s European Championship, with the other two teams facing play-off matches.