Lauren Hemp urges England teammates to ‘embrace’ Euros selection D-day

Lauren Hemp has urged England’s players to enjoy every day of the Women’s Euros summer as nerves build in the Lionesses camp before Wednesday’s squad announcement.

Sarina Weigman will speak with all 28 players who have been training at St George’s Park over the past fortnight to tell them whether they are making the final squad for the home European Championship, which begins on 6 July.

That means five players will leave the head coach’s room disappointed and while Hemp looks certain to be included after an outstanding season, the Manchester City winger and PFA’s young player of the year for the past three campaigns is taking nothing for granted. Equally, she fully appreciates the exciting nature of life for her and teammates.

“We spend so much time sort of thinking about what’s next that you don’t really embrace what you’re in now,” said the 21-year-old. “In years to come you’ll look back at these moments and realise that they’re the big moments in your lives. So it’s important to just embrace the journey and enjoy it while it lasts.

“We’ve got a very competitive team and we’re all kind of nervous. We’re all really excited for this week. There’s some big things coming up.”

Wiegman’s biggest decisions may hinge around three key players whose seasons have been affected by injury or fitness problems: to include Steph Houghton, the previous England captain who has barely played this season but is now recovered from achilles surgery, would surely mean Lotte Wubben-May missing out; the 2021 WSL player of the year, Fran Kirby, has not played since February with her fatigue condition and looks set to lose out to Lucy Staniforth, Ella Toone and Katie Zelem; Chloe Kelly is talented enough to light up a home Euros after 11 months