Lionesses legend Jill Scott has backed England's young players to step up at the Women's World Cup and believes Sarina Wiegman's side will be the "best prepared" team at the tournament.
England fly out to Australia this week ahead of their group opener with Haiti in Brisbane on July 22, having been held to a goalless draw by Portugal in their final game on home soil. Saturday's clash marked the first time Wiegman’s tenure the Lionesses have failed to score in consecutive games.
However Scott, who won 161 senior caps and helped England to victory at the Euros, is still backing her former teammates to impress at this summer's tournament.
"I’m really confident," she told Sky Sports. "It feels like a bit of a new journey for the Lionesses. There’s about six or seven new faces to the squad.
"I think they’re such a talented group. Yes, they’ve got players missing like Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby but this presents the opportunity to the younger players to step up which they’re definitely talented enough to do."
And the I'm a Celebrity winner has tipped two players in particular to really step up for England in the weeks to come.
"We’ve seen Lauren James performing for Chelsea week in week out," she said. "Lauren Hemp’s shown she can perform on the highest stage so I’m very very confident still and I’m going to be out there as a fan so I’m really looking forward to it."
Reflecting on whether England are the favourites going into the tournament, Scott added: "I think there’s always fine lines in sport and especially in tournaments as well. I think we’ll be the best prepared team. I don’t think we’ll fear anyone. I don’t think the girls have to.
"I think they’ll definitely play their best football when they’re out there but you can’t write off teams like Spain, the USA, Germany but do I think we can do it? Definitely.
"I’m just excited for the girls getting to go to a World Cup and getting to represent their country. It’s such a proud moment for their friends and family and hopefully they’ll get the success they deserve."
The former Manchester City and England midfielder was speaking at the unveiling of a new statue that has been erected in her honour next to the Angel of the North. The ceremony happened live on Good Morning Britain, with Scott set to be the face of the ITV breakfast show's World Cup coverage.
"Wow. I can’t believe it," Scott said when her statue was unveiled. "Only important people get statues. It looks incredible. It’s such a proud moment to be back in the North East. To look at a statue like this - I’ve got goosebumps. It’s such a special moment to be here today.”
It was also confirmed on Tuesday Scott is set to become a captain on the hit Sky show 'A League of Their Own', where she will feature alongside Jamie Redknapp, Romesh Ranganathan and Micah Richards.
