England manager Sarina Wiegman says Chloe Kelly's hopes of playing at Euro 2025 are not over after the Arsenal loanee was left out of the latest Lionesses squad to face Portugal and Spain.
The 27-year-old has played only 117 minutes of football for Manchester City since England's last international fixtures in November, and completed a surprise loan move to WSL rivals Arsenal on Deadline Day, after aiming a parting shot over being frozen out by her parent club.
Kelly played only 15 minutes from the bench in England's 0-0 friendly draw with the USA during the last round of internationals and Wiegman explained the forward's lack of club football was behind her omission.
"She hasn't played enough," said Wiegman. "She's moved clubs now but last Autumn she hardly played and had built some credit. But over that time she's played less minutes.
"We had a good conversation yesterday (Monday) and she understands. She's not out for the Euros. She's in full training. Hopefully, she will get minutes soon and then we will revisit it. There's huge competition going on in the team."
Of the 24-player squad, Lotte Wubben-Moy is called up from the off after coming in to replace injuries during those November games, while Ella Toone returns from injury and is in fine form for Manchester United, with six goals since her comeback.
Nikita Parris is handed a first call-up in more than two years following her own purple patch for Brighton, having scored six goals in her last eight games in all competitions for the club.
Chelsea duo Niamh Charles and Lauren James return following injury having not played for England since July and April of last year respectively.
However, England are without regulars Alex Greenwood, Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp and Fran Kirby due to injury. Wiegman said: "They'll be out for a while. Fran Kirby is almost back, she's good.
"Of course, you're always concerned when someone's injured. They're all in a good place at the moment but it will take a little longer. I just hope their recovery goes really well and they get some minutes later on and are fresh, fit and show performances."
On whether Bayern Munich midfielder Stanway, who had knee surgery in January, would return in time for the Euros, Wiegman added: "I'm hopeful. Georgia has a plan and she's very committed to come back. She had surgery that went well.
"I spoke to her, she's in a good place now. She knows where she wants to be at a certain moment. Let's hope it goes that way."
England travel to Portugal for their first Nations League game of this cycle on February 21, kick-off 7.45pm, before hosting world champions Spain at Wembley on February 26, kick-off 8pm.
Sky Sports News' Anton Toloui at Wembley Stadium:
Wiegman insists the door is open for Kelly to make the England squad for the Euros but it's going to be one heck of a challenge.
The head coach says the winger needs minutes and to rediscover her form after six months on the bench at her old club Manchester City.
But that won't be easy considering Kelly's competing with Beth Mead, Caitlin Foord, Rosa Kafaji, Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo for playing time.
If Kelly does manage to break into Arsenal's starting XI then her battle back to the England squad still faces many barriers.
Lauren James is back from injury, Nikita Parris has come out of the international cold and Lauren Hemp is expected to be fit by the summer.
But write Kelly off at your peril. She was a long shot to make the Euros squad in 2022 after an ACL injury but in her five WSL games back impressed so much she had to be included in the final 23 and we all know what happened on that famous night at Wembley.
Yet again, Kelly will have to earn her spot on the big stage the hard way.
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (PSG), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride).
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham FC), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Maya Le Tissier (Man Utd), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Millie Turner (Man Utd), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal).
Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Man City), Grace Clinton (Man Utd), Ruby Mace (Leicester), Jess Park (Man City), Ella Toone (Man Utd), Keira Walsh (Chelsea).
Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Lauren James (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Jess Naz (Tottenham), Nikita Parris (Brighton), Alessia Russo (Arsenal).
