sport news Steph Houghton insists she can fight her way back into England's Women's Euros ... trends now

sport news Steph Houghton insists she can fight her way back into England's Women's Euros ... trends now
sport news Steph Houghton insists she can fight her way back into England's Women's Euros ... trends now

sport news Steph Houghton insists she can fight her way back into England's Women's Euros ... trends now

A defiant Steph Houghton insisted she can 'get back to her best' as she battles to be included in England's 23-player squad for the Women's Euros.

Houghton has not played since January after undergoing surgery on an Achilles injury. She has also not played under Wiegman since the Dutch coach took charge in September, with her last England appearance coming in February 2021.

The defender was included in the initial 28-player squad last month but five players will be cut next week. The squad announcement had been due this week but Wiegman was forced to return to the Netherlands following a family bereavement.

Steph Houghton is hoping to return to fitness

Steph Houghton is hoping to return to fitness

It means Houghton, 34, has an extra seven days to impress before a final decision is made and the centre back believes she can make what would be her sixth international tournament.

'My focus was always on trying to get back in the squad,' Houghton said. 'I'm still not there yet I've been given a chance to do that and prove my fitness but I back myself, I back my fitness, I back the work I've done that nobody's seen.

'I'm improving every single day. I'm enjoying being back out on the pitch doing what I do. I'm confident I can get back to my best. You've only seen a snippet of what happens here (at St George's Park) but there's a lot of hard work behind the scenes. 

A defiant Houghton (above) insisted she can 'get back to her best' as the former international skipper battles to be included in England's 23-player squad for the upcoming Women's Euros

A defiant Houghton (above) insisted she can 'get back to her best' as the former international skipper battles to be included in England's 23-player squad for the upcoming Women's Euros

Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman named Houghton in her wider 28-player squad but five players will be cut next week ahead of the tournament, due to take place in England in July

Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman named Houghton in her wider 28-player squad but five players will be cut next week ahead of the tournament, due to take place in England in July

'I'm proud of where I've come from and the people that I've been with to get here but there's a long way to go, but I'm really happy. I feel as if I'm holding my own in training. 

'There's a lot of players being managed in terms of a physical load because we don't want to peak too early. It's just about following the medical advice and to build up my

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