LAURA BASSETT is encouraged by the start Phil Neville has made as England head coach but said today she is not putting any undue pressure on herself to join the fold.

Neville’s appointment in January divided opinion as he had no previous coaching experience in the women’s game, although he did have time on the staff at Manchester United and Valencia.

But the former England, United and Everton player guided his charges to second place — their best-ever finish — in the SheBelieves Cup in March and they remain well placed to qualify for next year’s World Cup.