Lotte Wubben-Moy believes Arsenal teammates Leah Williamson and Beth Mead can still play a big part in England's Women's World Cup campaign, despite missing the tournament through injury.
The Lionesses will travel to Australia next month ahead of their group opener with Haiti on July 22, however Mead and Williamson will not be travelling with Sarina Wiegman's squad as they continue their recovery from anterior cruciate ligament injuries. While the duo - who helped England to victory at last summer's Euros - will be a big miss for the Lionesses, Wubben-Moy is confident they will be able to use their considerable experience to drive the Lionesses on.
"Beth and Leah have both been to a World Cup before and they know how special it is to be selected and get on the plane and go," the 24-year-old said.
"They’re such remarkable characters and such remarkable humans so obviously there’s the regret and sadness that they have, but also an understanding they want us to do the best we can and they know they can still have an impact on that. Their contribution to the squad doesn’t end with them being able to get on the pitch, it extends beyond that, and the legacy that we as the Lionesses have had off the pitch from the Euros is an ode to that."
READ MORE: Spurs star Beth England reveals message sent to England boss after Man Utd goal
Wubben-Moy made 35 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners last term, clocking up the third-highest number of outfield minutes in Jonas Eidevall's squad, however she remained an unused subsititute for England at the Euros. The defender was initially omitted from the Lionesses' Finalissima squad earlier this year, before being called up in place of the injured Millie Bright, and she believes her ability to bounce back from such adversity will stand her in good stead for this summer's tournament.
"All of those ups and downs fuel you even more and actually help you when it comes to playing in a tournament," she said. "Anyone who has been part of it knows how the highs are so high and the lows are so low, so to get to the end of the tournament, you have to be able to weather that adversity.
"Everything I’ve been through this year and been through on behalf of my teammates is only going to help me to weather those storms. I feel privileged to be able to go through highs and lows like that. I relish challenges and being able to show who I am and what I’m about."
Despite missing a number of key players this summer, England are still among the favourites to go all the way at the tournament, and Wubben-Moy believes the unity within the squad has been a huge part of their success so far.
"It's team first. Every single individual in this room knows that, yes they’re an individual and will be celebrated, but more so they are a puzzle piece in this whole moving picture that we’re all part of," she said.
"Respect is another word that speaks so much to every member of this team. People often put us on pedestals as professional football players but I think what makes this team so special is the relatability."
