Confident Lionesses are fighting fit after a tumultuous month on the eve of the Euros - as Sarina Wiegman prepares to welcome back 'sharp' Chelsea star Lauren James in a major boost

Daily Mail​

13 hours ago

There was an unmistakable air of confidence hanging about the Lionesses' sanctuary on Saturday.
There are six days to go until England fire up their engines and attempt to topple Europe's elite to retain their trophy, and all the noise of unrest leading up to this moment seems to have quietened... almost as if this was all part of the plan.
After all, this will be Sarina Wiegman 's fifth major tournament, and four finals and two trophies in that time is a record that no other women's manager can match. So perhaps a suggestion of Wiegman's great design is not too far-fetched.
The Dutchwoman hints at this when responding to Mail Sport's questions about how she feels she has evolved since her first major tournament - the 2017 Euros, when she was Netherlands boss.
'I'm a little more experienced in football, but also in life,' she said. 'And you recognise things just a lot quicker. Players develop, but I develop, too - as a human being and as a coach.
'And every situation is a new situation, and what you want to do is to get best prepared going into the tournament for the team, but also for myself. I always say to the players, 'be fresh, be ready'. That counts for me, too. So that's what I've been working on individually, but also for the team - to be the best prepared.'
That preparation was evident on the training pitch on Saturday as the full 23-player squad, along with four standby members, took part in the session.
Encouragingly, all but Chelsea star Lauren James are expected to be fit and ready to play a full 90 minutes against Jamaica in their final friendly on Sunday before flying to Switzerland. It was a welcome boost following concerns over the match fitness of Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood.
Asked about James, who has not played a game since April 4, Wiegman replied: 'We have to manage the minutes. She's doing really well, but of course she hasn't played games yet. But she's in a good place. She will likely come off the bench (against Jamaica) - we can manage that a bit. She showed up in the training sessions really well. Her performance has been really good. She's ready; we're just still growing into minutes.'
And James's former Chelsea team-mate Jess Carter warned Euros opponents that James's return will be emphatic.
'It's really exciting seeing LJ back,' the Gotham FC defender said. 'The most impressive thing for me is just that she has come back in like a new player. Maybe the injury was a bit of a blessing in disguise, in terms of that she just looks so fresh, so sharp, and she really impacts the game and the team. Good luck to any of the other players having to play against her in the tournament.'
An in-form James will be key to sharpening England's attack. And with the other major questions now settled - no Mary Earps, Millie Bright or Fran Kirby - and Wiegman's position reaffirmed by FA CEO Mark Bullingham on Friday as unwavering, regardless of the outcome of England's title defence, all that remains now are the final tweaks.
Ella Toone is amongst the England players looking to win the Euros for a second time
'It feels similar to 2022,' Carter added. 'Yes, there might have been a clearer starting XI then, but the competitiveness in training was there. As a player who didn't start the games, I felt every day in training that I was in a position where I was competing for a place. I feel the same now — that every player here is in a position where they are competing for their place.
'Nobody is here to just be part of the squad. They are trying to get themselves on to the pitch.'
At Leicester on Sunday, Jamaica will offer Wiegman one final look before England turn their attention to Switzerland and with the pieces falling into place, now is the time to tighten the edges - and ensure the full picture is ready to be revealed on the biggest stage.