Sampson vows England will keep foot on the gas in bid to secure top spot

England boss Mark Sampson has emphasised the importance of momentum ahead of his side’s final group match against Portugal at the Women’s European Championships.

They are on the brink of qualification for the knockout phase after a 6-0 win over Scotland and a 2-0 success against Spain in their first two games and a point tonight would guarantee top spot in Group D.

With that in mind, coupled with the exertions of the players against Spain, who had more than 70 per cent of possession against England, it has been suggested that Sampson could make changes against Portugal, who are the lowestranked team remaining in the competition.

However, he insists England will not be taking their foot off the gas as they chase a third straight win.

“We’re focused on the next game. We know why we’re here – we’re here to win,” he said. “Whoever stands in our way we’re going to find a way to get through them, round them or over them. We want to make sure we keep moving in this tournament and we’re the last team to go home.

“At the moment our focus is on momentum and making

0 Mark Sampson: Belief. sure we keep momentum and keep moving forward. We want to move into the knock- out stage feeling that we’re confident, full of belief and that we’ve got a real sense of momentum behind us.

“If that’s the case then whoever we face, one, we’ll be ready for it, and two, they will be aware that we’re a good team.”

Barcelona-bound Toni Duggan could be one of the players to come into the team against Portugal while defender Casey Stoney has been nursing a hamstring injury but could be on the bench. Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev insists no agreement has been reached with any club for the sale of Kylian Mbappe.

Real Madrid are reportedly willing to pay a world record £161million for the 18-year-old France striker, one of the hottest properties in world football.

But Vasilyev said yesterday Monaco have accepted no bids and are hoping Mbappe will agree a new contract.

“I assure you that there is no agreement with a club,” Vasilyev said on the club’s Twitter feed. “We are discussing a (contract) extension with Kylian. I hope that we will get there.”

Mbappe rose to prominence last season when he scored 26 goals in all competitions as Monaco won Ligue 1. Last week Monaco threatened to report ‘’important’’ European clubs to Fifa for making contact with Mbappe without their consent.