England captain Millie Bright has withdrawn from the Lionesses squad for December’s Nations League fixtures due to a knee injury, with uncapped Manchester United defender Millie Turner called up in her place.

Bright missed Chelsea’s last two matches as she continues to manage her load following knee surgery and will remain with her club for treatment.

Turner, 27, received her first senior England call up in September 2020 during Phil Neville’s time in charge and was subsequently selected by interim boss Hege Riise in 2021 but is yet to make an appearance for the Lionesses. This is the first time she has been selected by Sarina Wiegman.

Bright missed the final two months of the 2022-23 season due to a knee injury but returned to make England’s World Cup squad. She started every match during the Lionesses’ run to the final in Australia.

The centre-back has featured seven times in all competitions for Chelsea this season but sat out Sunday’s Women’s Super League victory over Liverpool and Thursday’s Champions League win against Paris FC.

“Having so many games in quick succession, we’re managing her loading,” Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said ahead of Thursday’s fixture.

“(Her) preparation going into the World Cup wasn’t ideal. She probably rushed herself back and she’s also come back after the World Cup and quickly into the Chelsea season. Perhaps she needed a little bit longer. Her knee is a little bit angry at the minute. It is not anything too detrimental. We’re just listening to her body. We’re going to take decisions on a day-by-day basis.”

Turner has featured seven times in the WSL for Manchester United this season, scoring one goal. She joined the club from Bristol City in 2018 following the reforming of the women’s team.

The centre-back missed the second half of the 2021-22 season after she suffered a carotid artery dissection, a tear within the wall of a major artery in her neck. She made a full recovery and played a pivotal role as United qualified for the Champions League for the first time the following season.

Bright’s injury adds to England’s centre-back shortage, with Leah Williamson, who partnered Bright in central defence during the Lionesses’ triumphant Euro 2022 campaign, sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

England play the Netherlands on December 1 and Scotland on December 5.

(Photo: Lynne Cameron – The FA via Getty Images)