Ella Toone is set for a significant England return as the Lionesses prepare for a crucial Women’s World Cup qualifier against Spain on Friday, with qualification within reach if England avoid defeat, while Toone aims to re-establish a long-term role in Sarina Wiegman’s squad.

The 26-year-old midfielder has not appeared for England since November 2025 after suffering a hip injury playing for Manchester United, but recent minutes across United’s final three matches of the season have restored match fitness and placed Toone back in contention for action against Spain.

Should England avoid losing to Spain, the Lionesses will confirm a place at the Women’s World Cup, securing qualification for a sixth straight edition after missing the tournaments in 1999 and 2003, while any slip could delay progress until the following match against Ukraine at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Tuesday.

England carry a strong recent record into this Spain showdown, having claimed more victories over La Roja this century than against any other opponent in all competitions, with nine wins including the 1-0 success at Wembley Stadium in the reverse qualifier and a penalty shoot-out triumph in the Euro 2025 final.

Toone admits the long spell out brought a fresh perspective on international selection, with the midfielder explaining that every England squad announcement feels tense, especially after missing two recent camps, and that returning to availability for these decisive fixtures became a personal priority.

“It’s been a tough six months. I’ve wanted to get back on the pitch and do what I love,” said Toone. “I’ve learned that I’m not 18 any more and that my body’s been through a lot. I have to look after my body much better than I have been doing in previous years. I know that recovery is massive now. I want to prolong my career as much as I can, and I think there was a massive lesson in this injury.”

Looking ahead to Spain, Toone expects extended spells without the ball, as Spain typically dominate possession, but believes England’s midfield unit can unsettle the European champions and that the squad’s depth, experience and emerging talent gives the Lionesses confidence for another high-stakes meeting.

“Spain love to be in possession and sometimes it’s frustrating, but you’ve got to be patient,” Toone added. “I think they don’t like coming up against an England midfield either, and we know what we’re good at. We have to be confident in the team we have and there’s a lot of talent, a lot of experienced players and talent coming through. It’s going to be an exciting game and one we are definitely ready for.”

Beyond Spain, England’s fixture with Ukraine at Hill Dickinson Stadium offers a further route to qualify if required, yet Toone and teammates are focused on sealing the World Cup place at the first opportunity, building on recent success against La Roja and using the pressure of these fixtures as motivation rather than distraction.

For Toone, this window represents both a personal milestone and an important test for England, with the midfielder keen to protect fitness after the hip problem while contributing to another major tournament campaign, as the Lionesses chase a sixth consecutive Women’s World Cup appearance against familiar rivals Spain and Ukraine.