Chelsea Ladies striker Fran Kirby 'relieved' to make cut for England's Euro 2017 squad
Monday 3 April 2017 16:25, UK
Fran Kirby has vowed to repay head coach Mark Sampson's faith in her after he selected the Chelsea Ladies striker in England’s Euro 2017 squad.
Kirby was dubbed 'Mini Messi' by Sampson after scoring against Mexico at the 2015 Women's World Cup, before England went on to beat Germany and secure an historic third-place tournament finish.
Injury cut short the 23-year-old's 2016 FA WSL 1 campaign but Kirby has returned to action in the past fortnight, netting successive hat-tricks in two matches for Chelsea's development team.
The Reading academy graduate has plenty of time to return to peak condition with England opening their Euro 2017 campaign against Scotland in Utrecht on July 19.
"It's been a really frustrating year so far and to be able to be in the Euros squad is a huge pride for me and huge relief and something I'm really excited about," Kirby said.
"I knew I was going to be able to be fit around the Euros time. Mark's shown great belief in me. I always knew he believed in me as a player and now I've got to repay him at the Euros.
"I'm looking forward to getting back on the pitch and playing again, scoring goals and creating goals.
"I've missed it, it's been horrible. I've been playing the last two weeks for the development team and scoring goals, and I still get the same buzz I would if I was scoring at major tournaments."
England boss Sampson has previously stated the aim for the Lionesses is to win this summer's Euros and Kirby sees no reason why England cannot compete for the title.
She added: "We have the capability to beat anyone, and I think we do have the quality in this squad to go and win the Euros."
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