Millie Bright is confident that she will be fit for England’s World Cup opener next month, but will miss Saturday’s friendly against Portugal.
Defender Bright, who is due to captain the Lionesses in Australia and New Zealand this summer in the absence of the injured Leah Williamson, has been out since March with a knee problem.
The Chelsea centre-back underwent surgery to solve the issue and is currently training on her own.
Bright will miss Saturday’s farewell friendly against Portugal in Milton Keynes, but she is on track to be fit to face Haiti on July 22 in England’s World Cup opener.
“The knee’s really good,” said Bright at St George’s Park on Tuesday. “I think it’s hard for everyone on the outside because today was the first time you’ve seen me out on the pitch, but I’ve actually been out there since the first camp.
“I’ve just been training individually, ticking the boxes to prepare me for when I can return to the team. It was one of those injuries where you do something and then kind of have to wait. I think we are a little bit ahead.
“But there’s a big chunk of time before the first game so we are really confident and everything is going exactly the way we want it to go. I think Saturday will be a little bit too soon. I’m not back with the girls and I don’t want to rush that.
“Obviously, we have a lot of time until the first game. I’m gutted not to make that one but at the same time, I’m exactly where I want to be.”
There had been fears that Bright could be undercooked coming into the World Cup after not playing since March.
But she said: “The amount of minutes I’ve played before this has been ridiculous. I feel physically and mentally fresher than I’ve ever felt. Just based on the amount I’ve played it’s been a blessing that I’m recovering.
“I’ve been putting in the work and I’ll be doing that until the tournament, so I have no concerns at all. I can’t remember the last time I had longer than two weeks off. It’s been a fair few years now.
“Not the injury, but otherwise it has been a blessing in disguise that I’ve been able to have a clean slate. I’ve played through many injuries but with this one, I couldn’t quite get there.”
England had another injury scare at training on Tuesday when Manchester City’s Alex Greenwood limped off after a strong tackle. The centre-back needed ice around her left ankle, but she has cooled fears about any serious damage.
“I’ll be okay,” Greenwood said. “On the shin, it’s sore, but it’s football. It was a tackle, part of the game.”
