CLARKE: I’M READY TO STEP UP FOR LIONESSES
NEXT summer’s European Championships are less than a year away, but Notts County forward Jess Clarke insists her absence from the England set-up is no cause for concern.
The 27-year-old has 51 England caps and 11 goals to her name but has not featured for the Lionesses since November when England beat Estonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Euro 2017 qualifying.
Clarke is no stranger to disappointment on the international stage.
She missed the 2012 Olympics squad through injury and then missed out on Mark Sampson’s first England squad in December 2013.
Last year’s World Cup came and went, too. She had to make do with watching the Lionesses inspire the nation on TV.
So, perhaps it is no surprise that, having previously clawed her way back into Sampson’s thoughts, Clarke is comfortable on the fringes for now.
“Obviously it would be nice to get called back into the squad, but for me personally it’s about focusing on club football,” she said.
“I feel if I can get my performances right here, then England will come calling again. I just need to concentrate on Notts County. Hopefully I can force myself back in.
“I’ve been at this stage before, where I’ve been in and out of the national squad and not been in it for quite a few months.
“So, it’s not a new experience for me. I know, if you are playing well for your club, then you will get your chance again with England.
“If I do feel like I start playing really well again, then I don’t see why I couldn’t get back into the squad. I’ve just got to trust in myself and keep improving.”
England lock horns with Estonia again next month before travelling to Belgium for their final Euro 2017 qualifier. Victory there will guarantee their spot in the Netherlands.
Despite being in red-hot form last time the Lionesses were in action, scoring three goals in two games against Reading and Liverpool in May, Clarke was left out of June’s back-toback qualifiers against Serbia.
And, while she has only netted once in her last seven Women’s Super League 1 games, Clarke is confident that, with new recruits Jade Moore and Jo Potter also starring at Meadow Lane, the Lady Pies’ English spine can only strengthen her case.
She said: “I was definitely disappointed to miss out back in June, but that’s just one of those things.
“The manager wanted to have a look at a few new faces, which was completely fine, but when you are scoring goals and feeling good on the pitch, then that’s the time you want to be included in the squad.
“Jade and Jo are still new to the team and are finding their feet. We’re all still getting used to playing with each other.
“It’s a real positive that they signed with Notts County as they are two high-quality English players, and I really believe they’ll push us on.
“We’ve got to be patient, but, from a striker’s point of view, it’s fantastic to have them here.”