{"id":33539,"date":"2026-06-02T17:46:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T17:46:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/33539\/"},"modified":"2026-06-02T17:46:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T17:46:24","slug":"ella-toone-hoping-to-make-england-comeback-against-spain-in-qualifying-showdown-the-irish-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/33539\/","title":{"rendered":"Ella Toone hoping to make England comeback against Spain in qualifying showdown \u2013 The Irish News"},"content":{"rendered":"

England midfielder Ella Toone looked back on a \u201ctough six months\u201d dealing with injury as she seeks to make her Lionesses return against Spain in Friday\u2019s World Cup qualifier.<\/p>\n

England have won all four of their World Cup qualifying matches and know taking a point at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix will ensure they finish top of Group A3 and qualify for next year\u2019s tournament in Brazil.<\/p>\n

Toone was named in Sarina Wiegman\u2019s squad for the first time since November 2025 after recovering from a hip injury that kept her out of action for the second half of the season.<\/p>\n

Tooney approved \ud83d\udcf8 \u2705 pic.twitter.com\/Q1EBjOpbNW<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The 26-year-old returned for Manchester United\u2019s final three games of the season and admits it has been a frustrating time.<\/p>\n

\"What<\/a>\"Isle<\/a><\/p>\n

She said at a press conference: \u201cIt\u2019s been a tough six months. I\u2019ve wanted to get back on the pitch and do what I love.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve learned that I\u2019m not 18 anymore and that my body\u2019s been through a lot. I have to look after my body much better than I have been doing over previous years. I know that recovery is massive now.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to prolong my career as much as I can, and I think there was a massive lesson in this injury.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery time the squad is announced you are worried you might not make it, especially missing the past two camps, I knew I had to make myself available.\u201d<\/p>\n

England beat Spain in last year\u2019s Euros final and also ran out 1-0 winners at Wembley back in April in their first meeting of the World Cup qualification schedule.<\/p>\n

Toone says the Lionesses have lots of confidence heading into another crunch clash with the world champions.<\/p>\n

\"EnglandEngland beat Spain in their first World Cup qualifying match (Nick Potts\/PA) <\/p>\n

\u201cSpain love to be in possession and sometimes it\u2019s frustrating but you\u2019ve got to be patient,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think they don\u2019t like coming up against an England midfield either, and we know what we\u2019re good at.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to be confident in the team we have and there\u2019s a lot of talent, a lot of experienced players and talent coming through.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be an exciting game and one we are definitely ready for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Toone is entering the final 12 months of her contract and could become a free agent if she fails to reach an agreement at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n

She has been with the team since it was formed in July 2018 and says she is now in a position where a conversation is needed with the club.<\/p>\n

She added: \u201cI\u2019m in a position now where I\u2019ve got a year left. Obviously, it\u2019s now time to talk and I just know I need to make a decision what\u2019s best for me.<\/p>\n

Taylor Hinds has withdrawn from the squad with an ankle injury.<\/p>\n

Read the full update below \u2935\ufe0f<\/p>\n

\u2014 Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m at an England camp, I\u2019m focused on what I\u2019ve got coming up, big games against Spain and Ukraine and then a summer off. I\u2019m going to get married.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now I\u2019m a Manchester United player.\u201d<\/p>\n

Defender Taylor Hinds has withdrawn from the England squad after she suffered an ankle injury last week and she will return to Arsenal for further treatment.<\/p>\n