Neville hails ‘outstanding’ Houghton

Phil Neville, the England Women manager, has praised Steph Houghton for her “outstanding” performances despite the difficulties she is facing after her husband, Stephen Darby, the former Bolton Wanderers defender, was told he has motor neurone disease.

Houghton is likely to captain the side in today’s friendly with Brazil at Meadow Lane.

Neville said: “Since what has happened to her husband, she has gone on to another level. On that pitch is probably her switch-off, her comfort, her safety, and around the camp she has been unbelievable.

“She has the freedom to do what she wants, because family is more important than this game. If she told me now she wants to go home, then she has to go home because Stephen is most important.”

Houghton and her team-mates will face a difficult challenge from the Brazilians, who have increased in physicality and conditioning in recent months to match their skills and flair.

“It is going to expose us and test what we are going to be like under pressure and it has meant we have had to, as a staff, spend more time on the details,” Neville said. “This game is how do you break down a team, but also how do you keep the ball out of the net?”

One of those involved in the Brazilian squad is six-time Fifa women’s best player Marta, who won the award over England’s Lucy Bronze, a decision Neville disagrees with.

“Lucy Bronze is the best player in the world,” he said, when asked whether Marta deserved the award. “I thought Lucy should have won. There is no other player like her.”