Phil Neville says Toni Duggan has rediscovered her ‘mojo’ as boss hands striker England recall
PHIL NEVILLE says Toni Duggan has rediscovered her ‘mojo’ after handing her an England recall.
The Atletico Madrid striker is part of an experienced squad for next week’s friendly against Germany.
The Lionesses will play in front of more than 80,000 fans at Wembley – a record attendance for a women’s game in England.
Neville revealed his squad yesterday that included 17 players who reached the World Cup semi-finals in the summer.
Duggan missed the last two England games through injury but has years of experience for her country with 76 caps and 22 goals in a Lionesses shirt.
He said: "Toni has worked so hard after coming out of the World Cup and was frustrated as she couldn't give her best during the tournament.
“I’ve seen her play during the last two or three weeks and she seems to be like she’s getting that sparkle in her eyes.
“She’s getting her mojo again and that is why she’s come back again into the squad.
“Toni is an enormous participant for the team and when she’s 100 per cent match fit she is aware of that.
“The hairs will be standing up on the backs of our necks when we walk out onto the pitch, the players need these kind of occasions.
“But I’m delighted that this fixture will celebrate many of our England players who have achieved so much over the years.
“This is going to be a landmark event for the players and a momentous occasion in the history of women's football in England.”
Duggan is chuffed to be back in the mix with England.
She said: “I’m buzzing to be being back to that place I was before.
“I needed time to get myself right on the pitch and off it as I’ve had two difficult injuries.
“I speak to Phil a lot and that’s one of the biggest positives I can say about him – I fully know where I am at in terms of the England side.”
Neville has also included Arsenal star Jordan Nobbs who missed the World Cup through injury.
The most notable absentee is Chelsea striker Fran Kirby who is recovering from a knee injury.
World Cup star Ellen White and youngster Georgia Stanway were only judged fit enough to join the training camp.
Neville said: “We have to be patient. Ellen only played 28 minutes for City on Sunday.
“We didn’t name her or Georgia in the squad as we wanted to see what their progression was like.
“Kirby has not played 90 minutes yet this season, if you think of the magnitude of the game against Germany you need to be at a certain level in terms of your physicality, confidence and belief.
“And Fran knows that she’s got to get back to that level.”
The Lionesses will follow their match against Germany on 9 November with another friendly in the Czech Republic the following Tuesday.
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And Neville is under pressure having only picked up one win since the World Cup in a narrow 1-0 victory over Portugal thanks to a goal keeping howler.
England are playing friendlies in preparation for Euro 2020 on home soil and have lost to Norway and Brazil and drew with Belgium so far.
They are also looking ahead to next summer's Olympic Games in Tokyo, where Neville will lead a Team GB squad.
