Sarina Wiegman: Questions over another Lionesses deal will be no distraction

England Women head coach Sarina Wiegman insisted any questions over extending her contract again would not be a distraction as preparations for the 2027 World Cup begin.

Wiegman, who has led her side to victory in back-to-back European Championships, signed a new deal just over a year ago which takes her up to the end of next year’s tournament.

In December she revealed there had not been any “clear conversations” about another extension but announcing her squad for next month’s qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland, the 56-year-old said talks were ongoing but it would not get in the way of their immediate target of securing their place for Brazil next year.

“No update. It’s pretty far away. We are in conversations all the time and we’re still very happy from both sides,” she said.

“There is no distraction whatsoever. We want to really focus on this qualification.

“We want to qualify and the best possible way is to do that in June. We’re going for that and let’s first do that.”

Captain Leah Williamson returns to the squad having missed friendly victories over China, Ghana and Australia and a defeat to Brazil at the end of last year through injury, with other big names like Chelsea forward Lauren James, Manchester City defender Alex Greenwood and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton also included again.

However, the likes of Beth Mead and Ella Toone are injured.

“Of course you want them (Mead and Toone) in the team,” added the head coach.

“You know you have seen in all of the camps we have had, players have lots of games, very high level and there are always a couple of players who are injured who we can’t bring in. That’s part of our football life too.

“You just have to move on and hopefully the players get fit soon and we have more options.

“There is a little bit of a puzzle at the moment but at the same time I think we have enough players in the squad to play good games and to have players on the pitch who are fit and can perform at the highest level.”

Wiegman has called up London City Lionessess’ Poppy Pattinson for the first time, saying: “I think she had some good performances, a left-back who is very proactive across the whole wing, takes a lot of initiative and in possession she really wants to play forward.

“I liked her performances. She was really excited by the call-up.”