STEPH HOUGHTON described being left out of England’s squad before this year’s Women’s World Cup as “hard to take”.
And the Manchester City skipper, 35, insists she did everything she had been asked in a bid to reclaim a spot in the national side.
Houghton was sharing her thoughts in an interview with the Daily Mail with just under a month to go until the tournament starts in Australia and New Zealand.
The centre-back, who shone at times last term including during City’s 2-1 defeat of Arsenal in February, was left out of Sarina Wiegman’s squad for the contest.
Her omission follows a season which saw her net twice in 14 WSL appearances after re-establishing herself in City’s starting XI following her return from injury.
Houghton, who has 121 senior international caps, said: “I was disappointed because of how much effort I’d put into doing the things I was asked to do which was to get back into the City team, to play well and to play well against the best players.
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“I spoke to the manager. She said firstly I need to get back into the team because I’d had a long period of time out.
“I fought my way back. The next thing was to play well and to keep your shirt.
“From January on I’ve started every single game bar one. I feel as though I was in form, fit and ready to go.
“But sometimes it happens that you have a manager that doesn’t see you as part of their plans.”
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Houghton, who was part of the side that reached the 2019 World Cup semis under Phil Neville, has not played for England since February 2021.
An ankle injury sustained during a Lionesses’ training camp in September that year led to her withdrawing before Wiegman’s first game in charge of the team.
The England captain’s armband was handed to Leah Williamson ahead of that match.
It was a World Cup qualifier the team would win 8-0 against North Macedonia before embarking on an unbeaten run that included an Arnold Clark Cup triumph last year.
The Arsenal defender has remained England’s captain since leading the side to a historic Women’s Euros win at Wembley last July.
Houghton was included by Wiegman in England’s Euros warm-up camp last summer before being cut from the gaffer’s provisional squad.
And with three senior Lionesses picking up long-term knee injuries, including Gunners ace, Williamson some observers thought she may be in with a chance of a recall.
However the defender, who signed a one-year contract extension with Man City this month, did not make the cut ahead of the World Cup.
Of her chat with Wiegman in regard to being left out of the squad, Houghton added: “The conversation was very vague to be honest.
“I think that’s what’s hard to take. I felt as though I could have brought something to the squad.
“I knew what the role would be — I wouldn’t be starting matches but I would have supported the girls one million per cent.
“I’m team first. But it’s the manager’s decision. I didn’t argue but I did say, ‘I’ve done everything you’ve asked us to do.
“At that moment I think I was done with the whole situation.
“I’d been fighting with myself for 18 months to prove I can still play at that level.
“I think I did that but it was pretty clear from that conversation that I won’t be playing for England again.
Houghton, who signed a one-year Man City contract extension this month, is approaching the tenth anniversary of her move to the club.
On whether she is tempted to end her international career, she added: “All I’ve ever wanted to do is play for my country.
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“It’s something I’ll have to think about over the summer.
“I’d never turn my back on my country but I don’t know if I would put myself under that kind of pressure again.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
