DUGGAN DESPERATE TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME

ENGLAND striker Toni Duggan suffered a thigh injury on arrival at the World Cup in France — a setback that would blight her entire campaign. Now back in the fold, the Atletico Madrid star admits she fell short of expectations this summer. Phil Neville took a gamble on Duggan when he decided against sending the striker home from the Lionesses’ World Cup camp. But it wasn’t until the squad announcement last week for the upcoming friendlies against Germany and the Czech Republic that the England manager conceded as much. ‘I was devastated,’ Duggan tells Sportsmail. ‘I got a timetable (for recovery) that was longer than the actual tournament and I got back before it which I wanted to do because I was prepared to give everything for the team. I would never want to leave a World Cup. I feel like I missed out because I couldn’t give my best for the team. ‘After just a few weeks of training it was difficult to get back to the level that everyone is at in a World Cup. ‘I was nowhere near it, especially after a long season on top of that,’ added Duggan, who featured in Barcelona’s 4-1 defeat by Lyon in the Champions League final less than three weeks before England’s opening game against Scotland. The 28-year-old Liverpool native (left) played in three of

England’s seven games, but admits: ‘I was never at my best, I was just getting through them and trying to help the team. I gave it everything and I was exhausted after it.’ After being ruled out of the Lionesses’ friendlies against Brazil and Portugal last month, Duggan says she’s ‘delighted’ to be back in the squad, with a ‘chance to make history’ in front of a sell-out crowd at Wembley tomorrow. But she knows earning her place back in Neville’s starting XI over in-form Arsenal winger Beth Mead will be no easy task. ‘Ever since I have been involved with England’s first team the competition for places has been fierce,’ said Duggan. ‘But you’ve got to welcome that competition and raise your game. If everyone does that imagine how good this team will be.’ Duggan moved to Atletico Madrid in July and credits the Spanish champions for helping her to, as Neville described, ‘get her sparkle back’. ‘I know it’s only been a few games, but that’s how I feel and it was a big part of my decision to leave Barcelona. I wanted to be more involved in games and I wanted to get back to the Toni Duggan that I used to be,’ she said. Duggan also confirmed a return to England’s topflight is on the cards. ‘I don’t know when, but I’ll definitely be back,’ she said. ‘I love the league, how competitive it is and the numbers that clubs are getting through the gates now. I want to continue to help the women’s game grow in England.’