'Shots that really hurt!' - Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps reveals team-mate Millie Bright's greatest attributes

Two stalwarts of the Lionesses’ set-up savoured European Championship glory together in 2022 and will be looking to defend that continental title this summer. Sarina Wiegman will be putting their vast experience to good use.

Earps provides the last line of defence for England, with the Paris Saint-Germain star a two-time winner of the FIFA Best Women’s Goalkeeper award, while Chelsea centre-half Bright is often an immovable object that opponents struggle to break beyond.

Earps has been telling England’s official YouTube channel of what she admires most about Bright – even if some of those traits put her in harm's way during training. The ex-Manchester United keeper said: "I like that you’re a machine – you’re a powerhouse on the pitch. I feel like what you see is what you get – you are Mille Bright, if you know what I mean.

"I like that you’re not trying to be something that you’re not, you’re just exactly what it says on the tin. I have known you for so long that it has always been so consistent – powerhouse, big pings, sometimes shots that just really hurt!"

Bright returned the compliment, saying when it was her turn to lavish praise on Earps: "Always been honest and humble, always going above and beyond, not just for yourself but for others. I just love that you are so consistent. We’re the same."

England are due to get their latest UEFA Nations League campaign up and running in February, as they open with a trip to Portugal and home date with Spain, with Earps and Bright hoping to figure prominently in those contests.