The Lionesses attended Downing Street after their incredible Euros victory over Spain on Monday, but one star player was noticeably absent for the celebrations.
Jess Carter was nowhere to be seen at the Lionesses' gathering at No10 following their European Championship victory.
The 27-year-old centre-back, who featured prominently throughout the tournament, was unable to join her teammates for the Government reception on Monday.
While the squad enjoyed drinks in the garden with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock, Carter had already departed for the United States. The defender was required to return immediately to her American club Gotham FC for training commitments.
Jess Carter was noticeably absent from England's celebrations at Downing Street
|Reuters
Carter's absence from the red carpet photographs outside the famous black door was quickly spotted by supporters expecting to see the entire victorious squad together.
The defender's New York-based team has a fixture scheduled for Saturday against Chicago Stars, leaving no room for extended celebrations with her international colleagues.
Gotham FC declined to grant Carter additional leave following England's triumph on Sunday evening, requiring her immediate presence for training sessions.
Her swift departure means the centre-back will be absent from Tuesday afternoon's victory parade through London's streets.
Jess Carter is set to return to club duties and will miss England's celebrations
|Getty
The open-top bus celebration, planned to honour the European champions, will proceed without one of the tournament's defensive stalwarts.
Carter played a crucial role in England's success, appearing in all but one match during their championship campaign. Her consistent performances helped secure the team's dramatic penalty shootout victory over Spain in Sunday's final.
Fellow US-based Lionesses Anna Moorhouse and Esme Morgan received different treatment from their American clubs.
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Both players were permitted to remain in England for the celebrations, joining their teammates at Downing Street and participating in the planned festivities.
Whilst Moorhouse and Morgan enjoyed the freedom to savour their Euros victory with the squad, Carter's immediate recall to New York prevented her from sharing the teams back-to-back success.
The tournament brought personal challenges for Carter, who faced online racial abuse during the competition. Following the final victory, she revealed her pre-match anxiety: "I was super scared of playing the final for the first time in my life."
Jess Carter suffered online racial abuse during the Euros
|PA
She credited her teammates and support network for helping her overcome these fears: "When I woke up in the morning and saw my team and saw the support I had - and the belief I had from my team-mates, manager and family - I could come out and give my all."
Meanwhile, several Lionesses are expected to receive recognition in the forthcoming honours list, with Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly amongst those being considered by the Cabinet Office.