Lauren James is available to play for England again for the Women’s World Cup final, but former Lionesses stars disagree on whether she should start against Spain.
James was sent off in the last 16 clash with Nigeria and has been banned for the quarter and semi-finals as a result.
England have clearly been alright without her, beating Colombia in the last eight and then Australia in the semis to set up the clash with Spain on Sunday.
England manager Sarina Wiegman will be at least tempted to recall James, though, after scoring the winner against Denmark in the group stage, before netting twice in the 6-1 thrashing of China.
Fara Williams, who won 177 caps for England, admits it is a tough choice as to whether to bring James back into the starting XI or not, but she would do it.
‘It’s really difficult, because now we have the return of Lauren James. There’s a question mark over whether she should start or not,’ Williams told the BBC.
‘I think you have the best players on the pitch, but in saying that, England were phenomenal against Australia, every single one of them, so who do you take out?
‘That’s for Sarina to have the headache and not me, but I’d play Lauren James.’
England’s record goal-scorer, Ellen White, disagrees and thinks Wiegman should stick to the formula that has done well without James, most notably in the 3-1 win over Australia last time out.
‘I feel like the Australia game was more of a compete performance, both defensively and offensively as well,’ said White.
‘England have had four games playing that 3-5-2 and two games playing with the same players. So I think she’ll keep the same formation and the same players that started against Colombia and Australia, just for that continuity and that consistency of performance.
‘You have to be disciplined against this Spanish side. I feel like that group will have discipline. Lauren James to come on.’
Wiegman has given little away on her plans for the final, only saying of James: ‘Of course she kept training and it’s really nice to have 23 players available for tomorrow.’
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