At the World Cup, Bethany isn’t just happy to be there; she wants to win a place in England’s team.

After coming on as a substitute in extra time of the last-16 match against Nigeria, she scored the Lionesses’ penalty.

Tottenham’s forward was an unused substitute throughout Euro 2022.

According to the 29-year-old, Sarina [Wiegman] is ultimately in charge.

“I’m here to be a part of the team, whether I start or am a substitute. I love playing football, and I want to play as much as possible.

Whether I get minutes or not, I will try to do everything I can on the pitch, and even if I don’t, I will be there to be the number one fan for the girls playing.

The fact that I was able to get a seat on that plane was not just luck, I worked hard to get it. I wouldn’t call it a happy accident.”

Following the Euros, England waited 11 months for a recall to Wiegman’s squad after a January transfer from Chelsea to Tottenham.

Spurs avoided relegation by scoring 12 goals in 12 Women’s Super League games, and she finished the season as the division’s second-highest English scorer.

We have the opportunity to do great things at this tournament, and we have an excellent group of players,” England added.

There are some excellent forwards who are scoring good goals, which is a good thing because it means there is no complacency.

“All I can do is show up every day, push as hard as I can, and if that means getting a start, great, and if it doesn’t, I am there for the girls.”

She said her experience at Euro 2022 helped her prepare for this tournament, where Manchester United’s Alessia Russo and Aston Villa’s Rachel Daly have been preferred in attack.

“After not playing last summer, it was tough, but this tournament has been very different, and it’s an amazing feeling,” she said.

Being able to play for my national team in a major tournament was a very proud moment for me.

“You think it’s the end of the world because you didn’t play your part, but we’re all playing our parts. It might seem hard at the time, but it’s worth the effort.”

The Lionesses’ quarter-final against Colombia will take place at 11:30 BST on Saturday, the same day as the Premier League returns.

However, England hopes that they can put on a good performance to keep fans – and believes that viewing figures will remain high despite the return of the men’s domestic game.

The amount of numbers and interest in the women’s game have grown over the last few years, especially since the Euros.” said England.

Hopefully we can still engage the fans enough so that they will want to watch us, and I know that many people have turned to women’s football because they enjoy it.