TOP GUN ELLEN IS BACK Timing is just right for White
ELLEN WHITE was back in England training yesterday in perfect time – with the Euros just a week away.
The Lionesses’ 50-goal record scorer missed Friday’s 5-1 win over the Netherlands at Elland Road after testing positive for coronavirus.
But the Manchester City striker has made the trip to Zurich for England’s final warm-up match before opening the tournament against Austria at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Boss Sarina Wiegman, right, said: “It took a while so we’re glad she’s back. Hopefully we can build her up again and get her ready for the Euros.”
Asked if White could play tonight, Wiegman added: “I don’t know yet. She hasn’t been in training for a week so we don’t take any risks.”
Lucy Bronze will sit it out after feeling unwell. The FA said she was returning home as a precaution, adding: “The defender has tested negative for Covid and will continue to be monitored by medical staff.”
England beat Belgium 3-0 before overcoming the Netherlands, who Wiegman guided to glory at the last Euros in 2017. The Dutchwoman said: “There has been some research from other tournaments that when you go away and come back, that helps. In this situation we’re in, we’ve been at St George’s Park for a while, a very good pitch, we were treated very well. But then it’s good to get in another environment, come here, get some freshness, have a good game tomorrow and then come back and get really ready and into the atmosphere of the Euros. We’re in a very good place and we just have to show good football and do our best. We know we can make an impact in England, we can give England football a big boost.”
In the defeat of the Dutch, the Lionesses trailed 1-0 before hitting back.
Four of their goals came in a second half that saw substitutes make a significant impact and skipper Leah Williamson back in defence after starting the game in midfield.
“You see that we’re still building although it gets close to the Euros,” said Wiegman.
“We have so many options in this team because the depth in the squad is good.
“I thought in the last game that she [Williamson] felt a little uncomfortable in midfield and felt more comfortable at the back.
“We’ll see how that goes.We have those options.
“She plays at the back a lot [for Arsenal] and I think she’s a very good midfielder too.
“We have many options in the defensive line as well as midfield.
“We’re now coming into a stage where we have to perform.
“During the year we had time to develop. Now we have to find out the team that’s going to start and the options we have when we want to change.
“It’s about performing and not trying out things any more.”