'A huge loss' - Lionesses stars left saddened by Mary Earps' retirement as England star Jess Carter reveals how dressing room reacted to shock news before Euro 2025

Earps announced her shock retirement from international duty on Tuesday, just six weeks before the start of Euro 2025. The decision comes after Earps lost her place in the starting XI to Hannah Hampton who will be the team's No. 1 heading into this summer's tournament in Switzerland.

The decision to quit the England team has come as a shock and leaves manager Sarina Wiegman with a lack of experienced options behind Hampton. The Lionesses boss has admitted she's been left disappointed by Earps' decision to call time on England now, while Jess Carter has revealed how the players reacted to the news.

She told a press conference: "I think it was a surprise for some and maybe not for others - I don't know, I just know how I felt really. It was definitely sad for everybody involved but we almost had to move on from it - we've got a game that we have to focus on. We've got analysis of the last game we played and prep for the new one.

"It's a huge loss. She's an incredible person and goalkeeper. She doesn't lack in the confidence department on the pitch so it's really nice to have her behind us. We no longer have that so it's about building those connections with the other goalkeepers that we've got and making sure they are as strong as possible for the Euros and the upcoming games. "I think it's really brave the decision she has made. Sometimes it's not about the team, it's just about you. I'm really sad about it and I wish her all the best in what she does next."

Carter also backed Hampton to step up now Earps has hung up her international gloves: "I think we've got a lot of goalkeepers here that are all excellent goalkeepers. I've played with Hannah the most and I know she's incredible with her feet. I haven't watched much of the WSL in the last season so I have no idea how she's doing there to be honest but obviously when she's playing for England she works as hard as she can and she has got a responsibility to step up and perform. In the same way that the other 25 players have as well. We all have to step up and perform and do much better than we have been doing."

The Lionesses are back in action in the Nations League against Portugal on Friday and then face Spain on June 3. Wiegman's side will then switch focus to Euro 2025 and an opener against France on July 5.