Sarina Wiegman admits she is ‘very worried’ about the scheduling of England’s upcoming Nations League campaign – just over a month after their World Cup final heartbreak

• The head coach named her 24-player squad for the first-ever Nations League 
• Wiegman made just five tweaks to her side just over a month on from World Cup 
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ 

Sarina Wiegman admitted that she is ‘very worried’ about the scheduling of the brand-new Nations League tournament, which will see the Lionesses back in tournament action just over a month after their World Cup final heartbreak in August.

England are set to face Scotland in their inaugural match of the competition on September 22, and will contest Wiegman’s former side, the Netherlands, in their second tie just four days before the start of the Women’s Super League season on October 1.

‘We knew this was a very short turnaround,’ the head coach said, before adding that although the fixture congestion was in part a result of gains made within the women’s game, players were in need of rest.

‘Some players (will have) only had six days off, which after such a high-level, high-pressure competition is not good for them.

‘The urgency to solve (the situation), and to make it better is really, really, high.

Sarina Wiegman shared her concerns over the packed fixture schedule for her England side

Keira Walsh is one of the few World Cup players not picked for the Nations League campaign, after picking up a minor calf injury

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Wiegman added that it would be a ‘challenge’ not only to ensure physical freshness for her squad, but a renewed mentality too.

The timeframe for preparations means that Wiegman makes just five tweaks to her World Cup squad for the competition as mandated by injuries to Barcelona’s Keira Walsh, and Bethany England, who will miss the start of Tottenham’s season after undergoing hip surgery.

Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier, Aston Villa’s Lucy Staniforth, and Jess Park of Manchester City were all promoted to the competition’s 24-player squad after being picked as World Cup understudies, with Wiegman opting not to recall Arsenal’s Beth Mead or Chelsea midfielder Fran Kirby, both of whom are steadily making their way back from injury.

‘In their minds, they’re ready to go,’ Wiegman said, adding that she had urged ‘a little patience’ from the players as they look to regain match fitness.

Fran Kirby missed out on travelling Down Under but has been gradually working back to fitness

Arsenal striker Beth Mead (right) featured in the Gunners’ Champions League squad but did not play in their defeat to Paris FC

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify

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