Understudies show Sarina’s spoilt for choice

ENGLAND’S understudies believe they can play a leading role in this summer’s Euros after putting on a show for boss Sarina Wiegman in a 4-0 thrashing of Switzerland. In the absence of star striker Ellen White, Alessia Russo and Beth England were both among the scorers as the Lionesses ended their tournament build-up with a comfortable victory.

White, who is England’s all-time record goal scorer, did not feature in the final two warm-up fixtures against the Swiss and the Netherlands after testing positive for Covid-19.

White was fit enough to be on the bench in Zurich on Thursday, though, and should be available for the Euros opener against Austria at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

But against Switzerland her deputies showed they are ready to step into her role should she suffer a setback.

White is now 33 and is not likely to play every game of the tournament. Russo, 23, and England, 28, are both vying to be first reserve and a goal for each against the Swiss has given both a confidence boost and Wiegman a selection headache.

‘It has been tough and been hard work but that’s what you want,’ Russo said. ‘You come here with the best players and the best staff around you.

‘I’ve just got to keep working hard, keep training hard, the level here is so high. We have so many different options in the front line. It’s great to be a part of it.’

Russo was the starting forward on Thursday, but England was lively when she came off the bench to make an impact, scoring with a header and coming close to a second.

‘We all know it’s not just an 11 that’s out there, it’s an entire 23, and the staff,’ England said. ‘Everyone is here to build each other up and the competition is tough. It’s not an easy ride for anyone, nothing is guaranteed.

‘If you get your opportunity, you’ve got to take it. Especially from the bench the girls have been taking their opportunity which is probably giving Sarina a good headache. We just want to keep performing well and do what we can.’

The Lionesses won all three of their warm-up matches in the second halves — and Wiegman agreed her squad depth could be a crucial factor.

‘We’ve seen in a couple of games that our depth in the team is really good,’ Wiegman said.

‘What I also like is that they’re ready to go. Everyone wants to play, everyone wants to be part of it and everyone wants to have a contribution for this team.

‘That says something about the quality of this team.’