Chelsea aces Charles and England withdraw from Lionesses duty after positive Covid test results
BETH ENGLAND and Niamh Charles are set to miss the Lionesses' duel with North Macedeoniawith both testing positive for Covid-19.
The news comes after their Chelsea team-mate Maren Mjelde returned a positive coronavirus test result on arrival for international duty with Norway.
The FA say Charles, 22, and England, 27, were asymptomatic following pre-camp checks.
And an official statement says the Blues duo have not come into contact with their Lionesses team-mates at St George’s Park.
England and Charles have been in fine form for Chelsea in recent weeks.
The pair have helped the club to win six of their last games across all competitions with the WSL leaders conceding just one goal.
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And England, who missed the Arnold Clark Cup tournament due to injury, has been in ruthless form for the Blues alongside Sam Kerr.
The Kingsmeadow ace has netted six goals in the team's last three games across all competitions.
These include braces against Reading in the league and against Birmingham in an FA Cup quarter-final duel.
On England’s form Chelsea chief Emma Hayes said on Sunday: Her work in this half of the season has been outstanding.
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"She had a blip with her injury but she has kept her head down.
“Beth has done a great job of playing her part but this half of the season.
“She’s improving and contributing on a much bigger level and I’m really proud of her approach.”
Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman has opted not call up any replacements for Charles and England before the team's game against North Macedonia on Friday.
The WSL aces were named in her 24-player squad ahead of World Cup qualifiers against North Macedonia and Northern Ireland.
Wiegman's ssistant coach Arjan Veurink was also confirmed to have returned a positive Covid-19 test result prior to joining up with England at their base in Burton-upon-Trent.
It is hoped the trio might be able to join the squad ahead of their clash with Northern Ireland at Windsor Park on Tuesday 12 April.
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