England legend Yankey backs Lionesses for World Cup success

Success breeds success and England legend Rachel Yankey believes that the momentum from the Lionesses' Euros crown can carry them at the World Cup despite a host of big-name absentees. Skipper Leah Williamson will miss the showpiece Down Under through injury, as will Beth Mead and Fran Kirby.

Ad It is the biggest concern for Sarina Wiegman's squad as they look to add the global success to the European title they memorably claimed on home soil. FootballEngland Yankey delivers team talk to inspire next generation26 MINUTES AGO But Yankey, who won 129 caps in a 16-year international career, has backed the team to use their experience of going all the way in 2022 to make up for the losses of established leaders.

«Obviously they are missing players, which is disappointing for those individuals, but you want them to come back the fittest and strongest so you don't want to rush them back for a massive tournament,» said Yankey, who has been assigned as a ‘Confidence Coach', a move by Gatorade which comes in response to new data revealing that over four in ten (41%) parents believe that a lack of confidence and self-esteem are barriers which prevent teens from taking up sport. «What it is, is an opportunity for other players to really be involved in a key tournament, whether that is to gain experience or be a big part of it.

»I think the squad would have learned so much from the Euros, there are different ranges of age within the squad, there are a lot of experienced players, so I think that they will be fine. «They can draw on their experiences, there is a lot of resilience within the players in that squad and I think there is good leadership and good youth.

Fingers crossed they can go far. »For the players that weren't there