Toone and Kelly left out as Williamson returns for England play-offs

Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly are out of England's squad for next month's World Cup play-offs against Greece.

Head coach Sarina Wiegman left out the two big names from her 23-player group for the two-legged tie. Captain Leah Williamson is back. Chelsea midfielder Lexi Potter has earned a first senior call-up, BBC reported.

England travel to Crete for the first leg on Friday 9 October at 17:30 BST. The return is in Leicester on Tuesday 13 October at 19:30 BST.

The stakes are simple. Win the tie and England go through to round two of the play-offs for next summer's Women's World Cup in Brazil. A play-off, in plain terms, is a knockout round used to decide the last qualification places. Lose, and the road ends here.

Toone's absence is the headline. The Manchester United midfielder has been a regular in recent England squads and was involved in the June qualifiers against Spain and Ukraine. Arsenal forward Kelly also misses out after being part of England's group through the summer.

They are not the only familiar faces missing. Chelsea forward Aggie Beever-Jones did not make the 23. Arsenal pair Lotte Wubben-Moy and Taylor Hinds were also left out.

Wiegman has turned to fresh legs instead. Potter gets her first chance with the seniors after impressing at club level. Erica Meg Parkinson is back in the group and still waiting for a first cap. Freya Godfrey and Grace Fisk are the other uncapped players named in the squad.

Williamson's return brings leadership at the back. The Arsenal defender and captain has missed time with England before and her presence steadies a group heading into knockout football.

What makes this stand out is the timing. These are not friendlies. Two legs, four days apart, with a World Cup place on the line. Wiegman has picked form and balance over reputation.

For fans, this means two nights to circle. Crete first. Then Leicester under the lights. Ninety minutes each time to keep England's Brazil dream alive.