FALL GIRLS

ENGLAND head coach Mark Sampson has warned his players about the “dark arts” he reckons Spain may use in today’s Euro 2017 group clash. “No one would argue that their possession-based style is not pleasing on the eye,” said Sampson. “But they’ve got the other bit as well – the indiscipline, the feigning injury, the getting around the referee. “So we’ll have to be ready for the potential possession game they’ll try and bring to the match but also those dark arts that aren’t the nicest part.” Those comments about t he Spaniards came after Sampson had s e e n his t e am t hrash Scotland 6- 0 in their opening group match. “I’m hoping we get as lenient a referee on Sunday because I think Spain will be a bit different to Scotland – they’ll probably fall over a bit more,” he said. Despite the tolerant approach o f Swiss r e f e r e e Esther Staubli in the encounter with Scotland, Sampson’s captain Steph Houghton was booked for a crunching t ackle on her Manchester City team- mate Jane Ross.

The shoulder injury suffered by Ross has put her out of Scotland’s last two group games, against Portugal today and Spain on Thursday.

A second yellow card for Houghton today would see her miss England’s clash with Portugal on Thursday.

But as she prepares to face Spain’s t op striker Jennifer Hermoso, the Lionesses’ skipper said: “It’s not going to change the way I play.

“It’s important that I get tight to Hermoso, try to stop her playing and ultimat e l y t ry t o stop t heir fluidity through the midfield and the forwards.

“It’s going to be a difficult game but hopefully we’ll put in a great performance and get three points.”