Women’s World Cup: England forward Toni Duggan to be fit for Japan clash

Duggan sustained a thigh problem in training the day after the Lionesses arrived in France for the tournament and subsequently sat out their opening two Group D games

England forward Toni Duggan has declared she will be fit for the Women’s World Cup clash with Japan on Wednesday and says she is “itching to get out there.”

Duggan sustained a thigh problem in training the day after the Lionesses arrived in France for the tournament and subsequently sat out their opening two Group D games – a 2-1 win against Scotland and 1-0 victory over Argentina.

Looking ahead to Wednesday’s match in Nice, the 27-year-old said: “I’m going to be fit, so I have a big smile on my face.

“It’s really frustrating to pick up an injury at any point in a year, but the first day of a World Cup was really, really disappointing. I’m back now, that’s good and I want to look ahead and hopefully help the team in the tournament.

“I’m itching to get out there.”

Duggan added: “To miss training sessions, to not be around the team, to be doing stuff individually, it can be quite tough. But I’ve tried to stay positive.

“I know it’s a team game and I need to help my team-mates, and I’m one of the more experienced squad members, so I’ve tried to do that. Quite a few of the girls are at their first World Cup, so I’ve tried to have an input off the pitch, which hopefully has been effective.

“But I think now it’s time for me to have an input on the pitch, so I’m looking forward to that.”