Yahoo News Free agent Laura Bassett fit for England’s push to reach last eight of Women’s Euro 2017
Laura Bassett’s world was turned upside down when Notts County folded without warning in March, but the England defender knows 2017 will turn into the best year of her career if England become European champions.
She discovered on the eve of the FA WSL Spring Series she was suddenly a free agent due to the club’s huge debts, and without a team at a time when Mark Sampson, the England manager, was choosing his squad.
Bassett made the bold choice to remain a free agent and train with former side Birmingham City in order to keep fit - and Sampson still picked her, keeping faith in the centre-back, who has 61 caps.
She is yet to start in the Netherlands, with Chelsea’s Millie Bright preferred alongside the captain, Steph Houghton. However, Bassett could come into the side that faces Portugal in their final group game tonight as Sampson prepares to rotate his squad before the knock-out stages.
The Lionesses need just a point to get through, and Bassett insists that she is ready for her first serious game in four months - and is not thinking beyond this tournament.
“Since I have been in camp and ever since we had our pre-camp in Valencia I have had no feedback from the staff to say I am behind everyone else because I have not played,” she said.
“I feel fit, I played the full 90 minutes in a friendly and we have been playing some in-house games so as far as I know I am good to go.
“I am sure there are a lot of club managers looking at players for the new club season, it is a shop window if you like, but we are very stern in our objectives here. The focus is England, not anything else.
“Our main aim is get three points and remain unbeaten in our group stages. That is at the forefront of our mind.”
Bassett is battling for a place with Casey Stoney, who has recovered from the hamstring strain which has kept her out so far.
Sampson may rest Houghton - who is one yellow card away from missing the quarter-finals — while the likes of Arsenal midfielder Fara Williams and Chelsea winger Karen Carney are pushing to start. Rotation is key to ensuring England, who have beaten Scotland and Spain, remain fresh, and Sampson expects his side to up the intensity against Portugal.
“After the first match or two you are always going to get that lethargic feel and it was tough for us,” he said.
“The players came off the field saying they don’t feel they were at full whack yet. Now we want to become an even more physical England squad.”
