Lauren James reveals she 'never doubted herself' amid England training return

Lauren James has said she ‘feels good’ after returning to training in a timely boost for England ahead of their European Championship title defence.

The 23-year-old forward suffered a hamstring injury against Belgium in April, forcing her to miss the end of Chelsea’s treble-winning season.

Sarina Wiegman nonetheless opted to include James in her travelling squad, taking the gamble that one of her brightest young stars could make it back in time for this summer’s major tournament title charge in Switzerland.

That decision now looks to have paid off, with James returning to training earlier this week. She was recorded walking on to the England pitches at St George’s Park with a huge smile on her face.

‘I feel good,’ James said. ‘I never really doubted myself, because I think as soon as you have a doubt in your head, then it's always negative thoughts.

‘I always had in my head that I was going to make it. I didn't tell people that, I just took it day by day.’

James also described how she leaned on her Chelsea and England teammate Lucy Bronze during her fightback from injury.

‘Lucy and I always kept in touch. She always would say, “You'll be there.” Then obviously having that support, it always makes you kind of think, 'Oh, yeah, I'll be there as well.’