EU CAN BE HEROES

LEAH WILLIAMSON is ready to lead by example as one of the senior stars in an England squad packed with young talent - but claims the next generation are already ahead of the curve.

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The Lionesses have lost some key players in the lead-up to the European Championship in Switzerland, but there are also some exciting youngsters ready to step up following the retirements of Mary Earps and Fran Kirby and the withdrawal of Millie Bright.

Young Chelsea striker Aggie Beever-Jones, 21, scored a hat-trick against Portugal in a warm-up friendly, while Arsenal teenager Michelle Agyemang scored on her international debut after an impressive campaign on loan at Brighton.

And Williamson is part of the group in a position to ensure those talented youngsters don’t get overawed by their major tournament debuts.

"The game has changed a lot since the experienced members of the team played their first - the whole landscape of women's football, so we have to take into account those things when we do speak to them," Williamson said. "But it's giving them as much freedom to enjoy the experience, know they're ready to perform and make their mark on the pitch.