England take on China this weekend in their penultimate international game of 2025, and here at SheKicks we give our predicted lineup for their friendly on Saturday.
England team news
The Lionesses have been ravaged by injuries towards the end of this year.
Sarina Wiegman will be without some of her biggest stars for the final international window this year.
Leah Williamson, Alex Greenwood, Katie Reid and Michelle Agyemang are notable absentees.
Jess Carter is another who missed out on the squad, but she has only been rested after Gotham FC won the NWSL Championship game this week.
Lauren James has also been rested by Wiegman as she returns to full fitness.
Sarina Wiegman’s final #Lionesses squad of 2025! 🏴 💪
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) November 18, 2025
There are some positives for the Lionesses, as Lauren Hemp has finally made her return to the squad after a long-term injury.
The Manchester City star was one of the best players at Euro 2025 and should come straight back into the lineup.
Who replaces Hannah Hampton?
The absence of Hannah Hampton is arguably England’s biggest in the international break.
Hampton was named BBC Player of the Year this week as she completed her awards sweep in 2025.
Her great year has finally taken its toll on Hampton though and she is expected to be out until the end of the year with a quad injury.
With Hampton out of the squad, there are three goalkeepers who could get a chance for the Lionesses.
Sophie Baggaley, Anna Moorhouse and Khiara Keating are the three stars selected in place of Hampton.
While Keating doesn’t start for City, she will likely deputise for Hampton this weekend.
The 21-year-old started in England’s last international break and she struggled against Brazil in a 2-1 loss.
Despite the loss, Keating is most likely to be given another shot in goal against easier opposition this weekend.
Will any England players make their debut?
There are five players who could make their international debut this weekend.
Goalkeeper duo Sophie Baggaley and Anna Moorhouse have both never featured for England but that may continue with Khiara Keating expected to deputise for Hampton.
London City Lionesses forward Freya Godfrey earned a first call-up this month. The 20-year-old is excited to learn in her first camp and with so many injuries to England forwards, she could get a debut against China on Saturday.
A first senior call-up for Freya Godfrey! 🤝 pic.twitter.com/J3LAz68XBZ
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) November 18, 2025
Grace Fisk is playing in her second England camp to end the year. The Liverpool captain is unlikely to start in defence but could get her debut off the bench this weekend.
Although West Ham have struggled this season, Anouk Denton has been a shining light in the WSL side.
Much like Fisk, Denton is unlikely to start during the international break, but could be used as a substitute if things go her way.
England predicted lineup vs China
England: Keating; Bronze, Le Tissier, Morgan, Charles; Toone, Walsh, Stanway; Beever-Jones, Russo, Hemp
