Fit-again Fran holds the keys to No.10
KIRBY GOES FROM OXYGEN TENT TO ENGLAND SQUAD
THERE are few guessing games with Sarina Wiegman.
The England head coach has picked her strongest line-up for each of the warm-up friendlies ahead of the Euros.
And it has shown that one key position could still be up for grabs with just a week – and the final friendly in Switzerland tomorrow – to come before England’s Euros opener against Austria at Old Trafford next Wednesday.
It could mean a quite remarkable story for Fran Kirby, who just two months ago was using an oxygen tent to get fit for the tournament but is now one of the three contenders to play the No 10 role.
Chelsea forward Kirby, 29, started England’s 5-1 demolition of Holland in Leeds last Friday and is now looking to show she is ready to start the tournament.
Georgia Stanway began England’s first tournament friendly against Belgium inWolverhampton eight days earlier while Ella Toone came on for Kirby as a second-half substitute against the Dutch.
There can be little doubt that a fully fit Kirby would have the edge.
And the way she has battled back from the brink of despair shows she is ready for the fight.
In April, Chelsea manager Emma Hayes declared that Kirby was out for the foreseeable future with no return date in sight. It was due to her suffering from extreme fatigue. Maybe it was a knock-on effect of health, fitness and personal issues but there has been no specific diagnosis, cure or answer.
Instead, Kirby had to manage her way through those difficult weeks, using an oxygen tent installed at her home while also deciding to go public on social media with her problems.
That prompted other sports stars – including another footballer and a marathon runner – to make contact with her and offer help and advice. She has gone from struggling to take her dog for a five-minute walk to getting back to full match fitness. It is an incredible comeback.
Kirby has a very good relationship with her club manager as well as Wiegman, left, who showed similar clever management in talking to her, helping her through a nightmare three months.
The Chelsea star did not play between February and May, she was back on the bench for the FA Cup final then made the provisional squad of 28, which was a huge step forward.
That gave extra incentive and hope to a player who has simply refused to give up – and now she is in the running for another starring role.