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Mary Earps ready to make most of England recall: 'I thought my time as an international player was over'

Mary Earps - Mary Earps ready to make most of England recall: 'I thought my time as an international player was over' - GETTY IMAGES
Mary Earps - Mary Earps ready to make most of England recall: 'I thought my time as an international player was over' - GETTY IMAGES

Mary Earps has vowed to embrace the tough-love methods of manager Sarina Wiegman after her unexpected return to the England squad.

Earps, who has eight caps, drifted out of contention after the 2019 World Cup, where she was an unused, third-choice goalkeeper.

Wiegman has recalled her and the Manchester United goalkeeper is determined to make the most of the chance.

England’s new Dutch manager has taken charge of only two days of training but is already making her presence felt with direct and blunt conversations with the players.

“It’s really great to be back in with the girls, because, if I’m being honest, I thought my time as an international player was over,” said Earps.

“I made no secret of the fact I was concentrating on my club football and playing well for Manchester United, so to get this chance again, I’m determined to make the most of it and enjoy it.

“I’ve got a different mindset. I thought it was the end of the road for me with England. I’m hugely grateful for this opportunity because it’s a hugely personal comeback for me and I will help the team in whatever capacity I can.

“I had no idea I was going to be called up, I think I was preparing my dinner and then going to John Lewis to buy some curtain rolls or something when I got the email. Obviously, I was delighted, but it was a shock.”

Earps’s recall is down to Wiegman, as well as injuries to Ellie Roebuck and Karen Bardsley, but it feels like the start of a new era for more than just her.

“She [Wiegman] has been really welcoming and we’ve had a couple of meetings the last couple of days and she seems really switched on with her football, the way she carries herself and communicates, she seems really intelligent.

“I see it as a clean slate, she is going to form her own opinions from here. She is very direct and that’s something as a player you want and you think woah, I’ve got a lot to learn here.

“I think she is going to be very demanding. I get the impression she will tell you the honest truth, but also someone who wants to connect on a personal level. I don’t think she is going to give the hairdryer treatment, but I could be completely wrong, but when she speaks, you listen. She hasn’t’ yet. She is calm and focused, but expects a certain level of intensity and a level of quality. She will not shy away from that.”