Ella Toone has received a late call into the England squad for this month’s Women’s World Cup play-off ties against Greece.

Manchester United midfielder Toone, and Arsenal winger Chloe Kelly, were omitted from the initial squad with manager Sarina Wiegman saying “they have not played to their potential in my opinion in the last couple of weeks”.

Toone has scored 24 goals in 69 senior England appearances, winning Euro 2022 and Euro 2025 as well as starting in England’s 2023 World Cup final defeat by Spain.

Toone said after being left out of the squad: “It’s been a really difficult week. It’s not the news that any footballer wants.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze has left the squad and will return to her club to manage a minor injury sustained in league action last weekend against West Ham.

The Lionesses arrived in Crete on Wednesday evening to prepare for Friday’s first leg against Greece at the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion.

The second leg takes place at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium on Tuesday, 13 October.

The winners face either Slovakia or Ukraine on 26 November and 5 December in a two-legged play-off to decide which team progresses to next year’s Women’s World Cup, which is being held in Brazil from 24 June to 25 July.

England will host the Netball World Cup for the fourth time in 2031.

The quadrennial tournament will be held at Manchester’s Co-op Live indoor arena, World Netball and England Netball announced on Thursday.

Liverpool staged the event when England last hosted in 2019.

World Netball president Liz Nicholl said: “After reviewing their strong bid, I am confident England Netball will host another thrilling international event, and I am excited to see what we can achieve together in 2031 and beyond.”

Eastbourne put on the inaugural tournament in 1963, with Birmingham staging the 1995 edition.

England reached a World Cup final for the first time in 2023, but the Roses were denied a first title by 12-time winners Australia in Cape Town.

England also finished as runners-up in 1975, when the tournament was contested in a league format.

Baroness Sue Campbell, chair of England Netball, said: “To have the best netball players in the world coming to Manchester is a hugely exciting prospect, and I know the city will give them the welcome they deserve.

“This is a fantastic opportunity not only to showcase our sport on the biggest stage, but also to inspire the next generation of players and fans.”

England Netball chief executive Fran Connolly said the tournament would provide “a powerful platform to grow the visibility, profile and impact of women’s sport and netball across the UK”.

The announcement comes in England Netball’s centenary year.

The Co-op Live arena hosted this year’s Netball Super League Grand Final between AO Thunder and London Pulse, which was played in front of more than 8,000 fans.