'We'll take it from there' - Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman offers insight into battle between Mary Earps and Hannah Hampton to be England's No.1 for Euro 2025

Earps has been England's first-choice goalkeeper since Wiegman took over the team in September 2021 and she has justified that place with her performances on the very biggest stages. The 31-year-old was outstanding when the Lionesses won the Euros in 2022 and she claimed the Golden Glove when they reached the 2023 Women's World Cup final, too.

However, competition for her place has grown in recent months in particular, with Hampton pushing to take it. The 23-year-old was struggling for game time following a switch to Chelsea last summer but that all changed in December, with her form for the Blues helping to earn her more England chances, including one on Friday night when the Lionesses faced Ireland in a must-win match in qualifying for Euro 2025.

Wiegman has another big decision to make with the two goalkeepers on Tuesday, when her team play Sweden knowing that they need at least a point to qualify for next summer's tournament. Given the importance of the match, the coach was asked if whichever goalkeeper is picked to start would therefore be the one that has the advantage in the battle to be England's No.1.

"I think that's a little bit too early," she replied. "There's a lot of competitiveness going on in the goalkeeper group, but also in the team and the outfield players. There's a decision to make for tomorrow and then we don't see each other for three months, so then we'll see the players go back to club and they have to keep performing there, and then we'll take it from there."

Earps, who has recovered from a hip injury to be involved in this international break, will be tasked with settling into a new environment when she does return to club level, as she recently joined Paris Saint-Germain after her contract with Manchester United expired.

The Lionesses will hope that both goalkeepers can continue to impress and push each other to be the very best they can be as they target more major tournament success next summer, with them to be the defending champions at Euro 2025.