England squad for World Cup 2027 qualifiers: Lionesses pick Erica Meg Parkinson

England have handed a surprise call-up to 17-year-old Erica Meg Parkinson ahead of their Women's World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Iceland, while Leah Williamson is also included despite being recently sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Midfielder Parkinson plays for Portuguese first division side Valadares Gaia and has featured for England through their age-grade sides. Beth Mead returns to the squad having missed their wins over Ukraine and Iceland, whilst Aggie Beever-Jones, Grace Clinton and Ella Toone miss out due to injury.

Skipper Williamson is also included, despite being out injured since mid-March, but Sarina Wiegman is confident she will be fit to face Spain on April 14.

"She's had some small setbacks, but overall she's doing really well," Wiegman said of Williamson.

"And when she plays, she's playing really well. We have been careful with her, as have Arsenal, so I think she's going to make it and that's why we put her in the squad. The niggle she picked up is not the worst, but it just takes a little bit of time."

Ellie Roebuck also gets the nod after she was forced off in Aston Villa's 4-3 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.

"It didn't look too bad," Wiegman said of Roebuck.

"I need to see how the next couple of days go but we are confident she'll be fine."

But the eye-catching inclusion was Parkinson. Wiegman has kept a close eye on the teenager's progress through England's age-grade sides.

With Clinton and Toone absent, Wiegman was looking for another creative attacking midfielder and decided to give Parkinson a chance.

Parkinson - who is eligible for Singapore, Japan and Portugal -- is not expected to progress straight into England's starting line-up, but Wiegman is adamant she is ready to make the step up.

"She's a very dynamic attacking midfielder and wants to go forward," Wiegman said.

"She's very aggressive and pretty technical. Of course it's a big step from the Under-23s and the Portuguese competition to go into our senior level.

"But she gets the opportunity to show where she stands at our level."

"I think she's ready to come in. I think for every young player who comes into our environment for the first time, of course there's some anxiety. It's a team that has played at such a high level," Wiegman added.

"So it's really a step up, and we're not going to force anything. I don't expect her to get into a starting line up straight away.

"It's a learning thing for her, but I do hope she can adapt quickly to the level that's needed in our senior environment."

Elsewhere, Keira Walsh is on 99 caps for England and is set to bring up the century against Spain.

"I would say she's really stepped up as a leader," Wiegman said. "She doesn't really like to be in spotlight, but in her way, she really does.

"That starts with playing so well and being a very intelligent, smart player, but she also stepped up as a leader on the pitch and off the pitch. I really like that.

"Before I came in, I already thought that she was a very good player and she's an important player for us."

England face Spain at Wembley on April 14, and then travel to face Iceland in Reykjavik on April 18, for what is the Lionesses' 500th match.

England are two from two so far in World Cup qualifiers, having beaten Ukraine 6-1 in Turkey and defeated Iceland 2-0 in Nottingham.

Sarina Wiegman said: "Last month we started our campaign strongly with two good performances against Ukraine and Iceland, and we want to continue that momentum.

"These upcoming matches against Spain and Iceland are important steps in our qualification journey, and we're fully focused on performing at our highest level.

"This international window is very special for our team. Marking the 500th game in the Lionesses' history is something we are all incredibly proud of, and it connects us to every player who has helped build this team over so many years.

"Facing Spain at Wembley in front of our fans will be a fantastic challenge, and travelling to Iceland for such a historic occasion will motivate us even more to be at our best too."

Full squad:

Goalkeepers:
Hannah Hampton (Chelsea)
Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride)
Ellie Roebuck (Aston Villa)

Defenders:
Lucy Bronze (Chelsea)
Jess Carter (Gotham)
Alex Greenwood (Manchester City)
Taylor Hinds (Arsenal)
Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United)
Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit)
Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)

Midfielders:
Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City)
Lucia Kendall (Aston Villa)
Erica Meg Parkinson (Valadares Gaia)
Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich)
Keira Walsh (Chelsea)

Forwards:
Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses)
Lauren Hemp (Manchester City)
Lauren James (Chelsea)
Chloe Kelly (Arsenal)
Beth Mead (Arsenal)
Jess Park (Manchester United)
Alessia Russo (Arsenal)

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