MILLIE TURNER is relishing being in the England fold again after a call-up she says was “quite unexpected.”
Manchester United defender Turner, whose previous Lionesses involvement came as part of a training camp in 2020 under Phil Neville, was called up by Sarina Wiegman last week as a replacement for the injured Millie Bright.
While it came as quite a surprise to the 27-year-old, it is something she says her father had told her he “had a feeling” about.
Regarding the phone call she received from Wiegman, Turner told a press conference: “It was very exciting, and quite unexpected, to be fair.
“I remember I was sat at home and she rang me and I just tried to play it quite cool when she told me that she was calling me up, but after the phone call ended I was so buzzing.
“I rang my family, rang my dad, and he said he was just so proud of me. It was a big moment for me and my family.
“I think my neighbours at the start were hating me because I was jumping around my house! But my dad, I just remember him saying ‘Mill, I’m so proud of you’, and he said he had a feeling to be honest that I’d get called into this camp, so I think he’s been talking it into reality.
“For me, it’s all I’ve ever dreamed of, all I’ve ever hoped of — it’s just been such a big ambition for me to play for my country.”
Turner now has the possibility of making her senior international debut at Wembley.
England face the Netherlands at the national stadium tomorrow in the first of their final two Nations League group games, with a clash against Scotland at Hampden Park following four days later.
Wilmslow-born Turner, who said she has around six family members coming down for the game tomorrow, added: “[To make England bow at Wembley] would be incredibly special.
“Just to be part of this team is such a great honour and to be able to put that shirt on and even to play at Wembley would be incredible.”
European champions and World Cup runners-up England, third in Nations League Group A1, must beat leaders the Netherlands to stay in contention for top spot, the final position they need to have a chance to secure Paris 2024 Olympics qualification for Great Britain.
Turner said: “I think it’s going to be a massive game. But the Lionesses, we’re incredible, the way we have performed and come over every single barrier and come out of it really strongly. I think it’ll be a very good game to watch.
“The mentality never changes. We all fight and want to give absolutely everything that we can for our country — and I think it’s quite a good position to be in, because we’re ready to fight and ready to put on a performance.”
