![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/england-boss-sarina-wiegman-given-lauren-james-headache-ahead-of-world-cup-final/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0_GettyImages-1568966405.jpg&description=Lauren James will be eligible to play for England on Sunday after serving her two-match ban - but should Ella Toone keep her starting spot in Wiegman's squad? The final whistle at Stadium Australia on Wednesday night was greeted with an outpouring of England emotion. This remarkable group of players - who had thus far failed to deviate from the 'we're taking it one game at a time' shtick - seemed to exhale a collective sigh of relief, the gravity of their momentous achievement finally starting to resonate. Even head coach Sarina Wiegman, renowned for her unflinching focus and composure, seemed swept up in the moment - likening England's 3-1 semi-final victory over Australia to a "fairtyale". But while the Dutchwoman and her squad celebrated on the pitch, basking in the heady refrains of 'Sweet Caroline', Lauren James watched on from the tunnel. The Chelsea forward - who, less than two weeks ago, was the toast of the tournament - cut an isolated figure, standing with her hands in her pockets as she waited to congratulate her teammates on their historic feat. The two-game ban FIFA dished out for a petulant stamp on Nigeria's Michelle Alozie put paid to James' involvement against Colombia and Australia but, with that suspension now served, the 21-year-old is now eligible to feature against Spain in the Final. The question for Wiegman is just how big of a role should James play in Sunday's showpiece fixture? Certainly, the Chelsea star has proven she's adept at excelling on the world stage. Despite this summer's World Cup marking her first major tournament, James exhibited few signs of stage fright before her uncharacteristic moment of madness in the round-of-16. She is, irrefutably, a generational talent, capable of bending any game to her will with a cute drop of her shoulder or insouciant swish of her right boot. It was her goal - a sublime piledriver from 25 yards - that helped England edge past Denmark, while her mesmerising display against China, which saw her not){kind=link}
Lauren James will be eligible to play for England on Sunday after serving her two-match ban – but should Ella Toone keep her starting spot in Wiegman’s squad?
The final whistle at Stadium Australia on Wednesday night was greeted with an outpouring of England emotion.
This remarkable group of players – who had thus far failed to deviate from the ‘we’re taking it one game at a time’ shtick – seemed to exhale a collective sigh of relief, the gravity of their momentous achievement finally starting to resonate. Even head coach Sarina Wiegman, renowned for her unflinching focus and composure, seemed swept up in the moment – likening England’s 3-1 semi-final victory over Australia to a “fairtyale”.
But while the Dutchwoman and her squad celebrated on the pitch, basking in the heady refrains of ‘Sweet Caroline’, Lauren James watched on from the tunnel. The Chelsea forward – who, less than two weeks ago, was the toast of the tournament – cut an isolated figure, standing with her hands in her pockets as she waited to congratulate her teammates on their historic feat.
The two-game ban FIFA dished out for a petulant stamp on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie put paid to James’ involvement against Colombia and Australia but, with that suspension now served, the 21-year-old is now eligible to feature against Spain in the Final. The question for Wiegman is just how big of a role should James play in Sunday’s showpiece fixture?