How England's Lionesses should line up vs Australia in Women's World Cup semi-final: What does Jordan Nobbs need to do?!

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Jordan Nobbs England 2023
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With Ella Toone struggling for form, the Aston Villa midfielder has earned the right to be the creative force in Sarina Wiegman's side on Wednesday

One more win. That's all that England need to secure a place in the 2023 Women's World Cup final. After beating Colombia in the last eight, the Lionesses face Australia in the semi-finals on Wednesday for what is sure to be an incredible occasion. The question is, which 11 players will head coach Sarina Wiegman choose to take to the field for it?

With Lauren James suspended after her red card against Nigeria in the last 16, Ella Toone returned to the line-up last time out, filling the creative midfield role. However, a lack of impact from the Manchester United star not only against Colombia but throughout the tournament generally has surely got Wiegman thinking about other options.

Will she make a change in that position? Or will she keep things as they are? Will there be any other tweaks, even? GOAL takes a look at how England should line up against Australia...

  1. GK: Mary Earps
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    GK: Mary Earps

    Mary Earps had a bit of a nightmare for Colombia's goal on Saturday, but it's highly unlikely that it leads to her losing her place in the England team. With three clean sheets in five games, and having only conceded twice, she has been one of the best performing goalkeepers at this tournament.

  2. CB: Jess Carter
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    CB: Jess Carter

    An increasingly impressive performer at this World Cup, Jess Carter was great again in the win over Colombia, despite being matched up against Real Madrid's teenage phenom Linda Caicedo.

    She'll have another tough task on Wednesday, with Australia's left-hand side particularly threatening, but she's shown she can handle it.

  3. CB: Millie Bright
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    CB: Millie Bright

    After a rusty start to the tournament, Millie Bright has been absolutely brilliant in the last few games for England. The captain was immense against Colombia and will need to be at her best once more, as she is likely to be facing Chelsea team-mate Sam Kerr.

  4. CB: Alex Greenwood
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    CB: Alex Greenwood

    One of England's best players at this tournament, Alex Greenwood has played three different roles already and has been superb in all of them. Like the rest of the back line, she should keep her place.

  5. RWB: Lucy Bronze
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    RWB: Lucy Bronze

    While the wing-back role certainly suits Lucy Bronze's attacking strengths, she'll need to showcase her defensive capabilities to the max on Wednesday in order to help Carter deal with Australia pair Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley down their left.

  6. CM: Keira Walsh
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    CM: Keira Walsh

    This 3-5-2 system doesn't get the best out of Keira Walsh, but with it solving other problems England have, it's likely to stay. The Barcelona star is one of the best players in the world and it'd certainly benefit all if Wiegman could make some tweaks to improve her influence in this set-up.

  7. CM: Georgia Stanway
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    CM: Georgia Stanway

    Another very consistent and impressive performer throughout this whole tournament, Georgia Stanway was superb against Colombia in all aspects. Needing to shoulder the creative burden with Toone out of form, her assist for Alessia Russo was great, too. Will she have more help in those areas this time?

  8. CM: Jordan Nobbs
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    CM: Jordan Nobbs

    Before this tournament began, Jordan Nobbs spoke to reporters about how Wiegman had "really helped" her understand the No.10 role. Surely she is a contender, then, to start there?

    Toone hasn't shown great form at this tournament and that continued against Colombia, with her really struggling to make an impact. The only option left to play there, with James suspended, appears to be Nobbs.

    With huge experience on the biggest stage from her time with Arsenal, as well as for England, putting her in for a World Cup semi-final would not be a problem at all. Could she finally get her chance?

  9. LWB: Rachel Daly
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    LWB: Rachel Daly

    With England lacking a natural left-back, the 3-5-2 system masks this well and Rachel Daly has done a strong job at left wing-back since the switch. It'll be a challenge against Australia, with Hayley Raso in fantastic form on their right-hand side, so Daly will need to lean on her defensive strengths here, too.

  10. ST: Alessia Russo
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    ST: Alessia Russo

    After a not-so-impressive showing against Nigeria, Russo was brilliant in the win over Colombia, looking much more positive on the ball and confident in the final third. Her link-up with Hemp was excellent and they'll need to resume that form on Wednesday to break down an Australia side that has kept four clean sheets in five games.

  11. ST: Lauren Hemp
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    ST: Lauren Hemp

    Like Russo, Hemp was great in this front two against China, not-so-great against Nigeria, then great against Colombia. When it works, it works a treat. England will absolutely need it to if they want to reach the World Cup final.