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Ella Toone’s return to the England squad could not have been timed better. The Manchester United midfielder’s previous outing in an England shirt was unforgettable — at Wembley, in front of nearly 75,000 fans, she provided three assists and scored once in an 8-0 demolition of China, as the Lionesses celebrated their European Championship triumph with supporters across the country. Now, for the first time in 2026, Toone is back in the national team setup, ready to give England a crucial boost ahead of Friday’s high-stakes showdown with Spain.

All eyes will be on Mallorca in a few days. England currently lead their World Cup qualifying group and hold the sole automatic qualification spot. A draw against reigning world champions Spain — a team they defeated both at Wembley in April and in the Euro 2025 final last July — would secure their place in next summer’s tournament while forcing Spain into the play-offs. The stakes could hardly be higher.

The Lionesses, however, have had to deal with some setbacks leading into the tie. Captain Leah Williamson remains sidelined after failing to recover from a hamstring injury in time, while Lauren James’ participation is uncertain due to a minor issue picked up last week. The Chelsea forward’s availability remains a question mark for this international window.

Amidst the concerns, Toone’s inclusion in Sarina Wiegman’s squad for the first time this year brings much-needed good news. The attacking midfielder, who thrives in the No.10 role, offers reliability, creativity and valuable experience — all of which could strengthen England’s midfield options during this crucial week.

Lack of depth

When Wiegman announced her previous England squad, one selection stood out — 17-year-old Erica Parkinson, who plays her club football for Valadares Gaia in Portugal. Her inclusion made her the youngest Lioness to be called up during Wiegman’s tenure.

Parkinson’s selection was partly down to her exceptional potential. Having been named Young Player of the Year in the Portuguese top division last season and impressing for England’s youth teams, she was next in line for senior recognition as Wiegman continued her approach of promoting emerging talent through the ranks.

However, her call-up also reflected a shortage of options in the No.10 position at the time. Wiegman was actively exploring ways to build depth in that role, though she admitted Parkinson was unlikely to make an immediate impact, particularly in a camp featuring a clash with Spain.

Injuries, game time and positional shifts

At that point, Toone was unavailable through injury, and Grace Clinton was also left out of the latest squad due to limited playing time at Manchester City.

“There’s a lot of competition and I just haven’t seen enough from her on the pitch,” Wiegman explained regarding Clinton’s omission. “We all know she’s a very talented player, but I need to see a bit more from her as well.”

Meanwhile, Jess Park — another creative option — has been deployed out wide for United, and with James’ fitness uncertain, Wiegman’s playmaking options appear thin this week.

A timely comeback

Toone’s return, therefore, could not be more opportune. The 26-year-old spent the opening four months of 2026 recovering from a hip injury, missing key fixtures as Manchester United exited the Champions League at the quarter-final stage, lost the League Cup final, and finished their Women’s Super League season on a disappointing note.

She made her first start of the year in a draw with Brighton in early May, later completing 90 minutes for the first time since December 14 during United’s final game of the WSL campaign against Chelsea. More recently, she featured in the World Sevens tournament, building match sharpness ahead of this international call-up.

Valuable reinforcement

While Toone may not yet be at peak fitness, Wiegman acknowledged in last month’s squad announcement that she was encouraged by the midfielder’s progress. “From what I’ve seen, she looks good,” Wiegman said. “Can she play 90 minutes at the top level? I’m not sure, but I know she’s ready to play.”

That readiness was evident in Toone’s limited WSL minutes toward the end of the season. She produced two key passes in under half an hour against Tottenham in late April and impressed further in her two subsequent starts, underlining her influence as a creative force.

With Clinton omitted, Park now largely used as a winger, and James’ availability uncertain, Toone’s presence alone is a lift for England heading into Friday’s clash with Spain.

Potential impact off the bench

Wiegman may still choose to start Lucia Kendall in midfield alongside Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway. The Aston Villa midfielder earned her place in the starting XI during April’s meeting with Spain at Wembley, delivering a gritty and disciplined performance that drew praise from her coach. Considering Toone’s recent return from injury, easing her in from the bench could be the sensible move.

That would give Wiegman the luxury of introducing a proven game-changer later on. Toone has made her mark in major competitions before — scoring in a European Championship final, a World Cup semi-final, and the Finalissima. Her knack for producing in big moments will undoubtedly please Wiegman, who will value such an option as she plans her approach for this decisive encounter.

Ready to make her mark

Toone herself is eager to get back on the pitch. She has endured a difficult year, missing key matches, and opened up about the emotional toll of her injury layoff in an interview with Indivisa.

“There are so many ups and downs. This hasn’t been the season I wanted, with the injuries. As a footballer, all you want is to play, so when that’s taken away, it’s tough,” she said. “It’s really hard watching the girls play when you feel you could make a difference. I want to be out there playing every minute. I’m itching to get back.”

That determination will fuel Toone’s return to international duty this week. With England closing in on automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, her comeback could prove vital as the Lionesses aim to seal their spot on the biggest stage once again.