Wiegman says Lionesses are 'ready' for must-win Netherlands clash

Sarina Wiegman is confident England are ready for Friday's must-win Nations League clash with the Netherlands at Wembley.

The Lionesses are third in Group A1 after four games, having been beaten 2-1 in September by the Dutch and 3-2 last month by Belgium, who they trail by three and one point respectively.

Failure to beat the Netherlands in their penultimate group fixture will end their hopes of the first-place finish they require to have a chance of securing a Paris 2024 Olympics qualifying spot.

Wiegman said: "I think the team is ready.

"We're really excited to play at Wembley tomorrow. I think the camp so far from Monday to now has gone really well.

"We're very clear on how we want to play and what we want to do, I see good things on and off the pitch, and that gives me confidence that we're really, ready for tomorrow.

"If you look at the other [Nations League] games I don't think we played really poor, just in moments we didn't get it over the line and then we got some losses — which is not good, we want to do better."

With Millie Bright having withdrawn from the squad, goalkeeper Mary Earps is set to captain the side tomorrow.

There are also a number of defenders with only a few caps between them.

Wiegman added about the lack of experience at the back: "With the World Cup, you played the team you think are going to win, and then you change to win the game. 

"That has also been the case in the Nations League, so we didn't have that many opportunities at international level to try out things. Of course we do that in training sessions, and we see the players in the Women's Super League.

"I think if it's needed, they're ready, and they know what is being asked of them. I hope in the future of course they get the opportunity to play.

"Last year around this time we had friendlies, we played lots of players. We are not in that situation right now."