England women's star makes Euro 2025 semi-final vow amid Leah Williamson update
Esme Morgan is ready to step in for Leah Williamson in the Euro 2025 semi-final if called upon - but there's still optimism the England captain will recover in time.
Williamson rolled her ankle during the dramatic quarter-final win over Sweden on Thursday. And Morgan, who played the final 20 minutes of regular time as well as all of extra time, has been ready for whatever has been required of her since the start of the tournament.
When it comes to being thrown in at the deep end, making a first ever major tournament start at the semi-final stage would be right up there. Morgan's impressive form against Sweden has left her in contention for a start even without the injury scare for captain Williamson, who is very much pushing for a return.
'We're very optimistic that Leah will be available,' Morgan said on Saturday. 'She seemed in very high spirits this morning and I want what's best for the team, and that's absolutely having our captain on the pitch for us.
When asked about her own readiness, she said: 'For me it is the same as every single game — be prepared to play if I'm needed, know the role, just be absolutely ready and train at a high level over the next few days. But we're very optimistic that Leah will be fine.'
The majority of England's players had a recovery day on Friday after their exertions against Sweden, where they needed 120 minutes and seven shoot-out penalties to finally get over the line. It was only after the Lionesses went 2-0 down that Morgan began to worry about elimination, but even then she believed Sarina Wiegman 's squad had the goods to turn things around
'There was a moment at the end of the first half where I thought 'I've not packed anything! My wardrobes are full right now, I've not got anything in my suitcases ready',' the Washington Spirit defender said. "But I really had a sense throughout the game, even when we were down, that it wasn't our time to go.
"Sometimes you just have a sense of calm which you can't explain why it's there but you just have a belief, really, that we're not going to let this happen. So yeah, I always had faith that we were going to be able to turn it around and thankfully that happened.'
There's no time to wait around, with semi-final opponents Italy having had an extra day to get ready for Tyesday's semi in Geneva. For Morgan and her colleagues, it's about being ready to do whatever is asked - whether that means playing the full game or coming on from the bench at a moment's notice.
'Every training session you're pushing to be a starting player,' Morgan added. 'Obviously those decisions don't lie with us. I'm always content knowing that I've given absolutely everything to be in the best position to make an impact and to do my role to the best of my ability.
'My mindset doesn't change at all and I will prepare in the same way. To be able to play the other night was such an amazing feeling.
"It gave me confidence to perform should I be called upon to perform again but that's not my decision and I'm ready for whatever my role is.'
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