Lauren Hemp speaks on Lionesses return

After spending five months on the sidelines, Lauren Hemp could pull on a Lionesses shirt for the first time since October 2024.

The Lionesses forward sustained a knee injury back in November and after undergoing surgery and a rehabilitation programme, received a recall to Sarina Wiegman’s squad earlier this month.

It’s been a long road back for the Manchester City star but touching down at St. George’s Park this week to link back up with her international team-mates has made it all worth it.

“It’s been really difficult,” reflected Hemp. “I’ve had a couple of setbacks here and there but I’ve felt really motivated to try and get back as quickly as possible.

“I just want to soak it all in. I knew I’d feel more appreciative of moments like this, having been out for so long. The biggest thing for me is to just enjoy being back. Now is a better time than any to be back involved with the squad and get back in amongst it.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself personally, so I need to lower my expectation a little bit but also trust in my own ability and be ready to perform when needed.”

Nevertheless, she’s managed to stay busy, leaning on one of her favourite hobbies to keep her occupied during the interim.

“I’m really into my Lego so I’ve been doing a bit of that,” explained Hemp. “I’ve done a botanical garden recently and I’m on this thing called the Tudor house at the moment because I’m basically working on this street. It’s a little bit geeky!

“I’m also on a bit of a garden refurb job. I’m not doing any of the hard graft – I’m just sort of telling everyone what to do, so I’ve been focusing on that. I’ll have a nice garden for the summer for after the EUROs!

“I love just going for coffee with my friends and family and seeing them. It’s hard though because rehab does take a lot of your life up and it is long hours.”

The 24 year old made her long-awaited return to action for the Citizens late last month in a 1-0 win over Leicester City in the WSL, 170 days after last stepping foot onto the pitch. And it was a moment to savour for the forward.

Back together 💪 pic.twitter.com/WQRkMbDRw0

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) May 27, 2025

“I actually felt really emotional,” recalled Hemp. “I got a bit tearful before I was coming on and when I saw my family after. Even though it wasn’t a drastic amount of time, I have been away from football and at points when I had setbacks, I thought, ‘when am I actually going to be back on the pitch?’

“Me and Alex (Greenwood) have been out for a while, so to share that moment of coming back on the pitch together made it even more special. It felt incredible. It’s one of the best feelings I’ve had for a little while.”

With 61 senior caps to her name and counting, Hemp outlined her aim to settle back into life with the Lionesses, both on the training field and the football pitch, but before lacing up her boots, she had some catching up to do at the England base in Burton.

“It’s nice to see so many familiar faces and get back on the grass and start working hard,” said Hemp. “As soon as I came in, it’s so nice to see all my friends against that I’ve not seen for so long.

“Obviously, Esme (Morgan) has now moved to America so I hardly get to see her and Niamh (Charles) plays for Chelsea, so it’s so nice to be reunited with them – they’re like my two best friends here. It feels like home here at St. George’s Park.”

Wiegman’s team face Portugal at Wembley Stadium on Friday 30 May (7.45pm BST kick-off) before travelling to the RCDE Stadium to take on Spain on Tuesday 3 June (6pm BST kick-off) in the UEFA Women’s Nations League.

And with EURO 2025 right around the corner, Hemp explained that it is ‘exciting times ahead’ for the group.

“We’ve got two more tough games coming up,” said Hemp. “We’ve drawn against Portugal previously. We’ve got full respect for the teams. They’re going to be physical and technically, they’re going to be great as well.

“We’ve beaten Spain as well so we know that we’re capable of doing that. We’re hoping to put in that same performance that we did at Wembley when we go to Spain and play them. We’re ready for it.”