England star Leah Williamson has opened on her World Cup final regret ahead of her long-awaited return to action with the Lionesses this week.
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Williamson missed England's World Cup final defeatWas sidelined for nine months with ACL injuryReveals 'worst decision' ahead of Lionesses returnWHAT HAPPENED?
Williamson missed last summer's tournament in Australia and New Zealand due to an ACL injury. It robbed her of the opportunity to captain England at a World Cup for the first time, and in a campaign which saw the Lionesses reach the final.
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That injury also sidelined the defender for a long period, meaning she has not played for England since last April. She was set to make her return in February, until a hamstring problem delayed the comeback.
WHAT WILLIAMSON SAID
Speaking ahead of England's clash with Ireland, a game in which she will make her first appearance for her country in 12 months, Williamson talked about her experiences watching the Lionesses while recovering from her knee injury.
Asked if she was as calm in those moments as she often is when on the pitch, she joked: "Being at the World Cup final and sitting next to Jill Scott was one of the worst decisions I've ever made in my whole entire life. Not being at the World Cup final, just sitting next to Jill! I just live and breathe it. I love playing for England but I also love watching England. I was not a calming presence, as I'm probably known for on the pitch. Not on the sidelines."
DID YOU KNOW?
Williamson's last appearance for England came in April of last year, in a 2-0 defeat to Australia. When she returns to the pitch on Tuesday for the UEFA Women's Euro qualifier against Ireland, it will be two days short of exactly a year since that game.