Millie Bright wont be involved for England in their UEFA Nations League match in Spain after the Chelsea star decided to prioritise her physical and mental health
Millie Bright in Chelsea training
Millie Bright won't be involved for England against Spain on Tuesday
(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
England star Lucy Bronze has admitted she wants to see team-mate Millie Bright "feel OK again" after the Chelsea centre-back took a self-imposed break from Lionesses duty. Bright, 31, pulled out of the squad for the Nations League double header against Portgual and Spain to undergo an extender period of recovery.
Bright spoke about being mentally and physically at her limits, deciding she wasn't in position to link up with the national squad. Sarina Wiegman's team beat Portugal 6-0 at Wembley in her absence, but now face another big test away to Spain on Tuesday night.
Bronze, who finished with a goal and an assist from right-back on Friday, spoke to the media in a press conference ahead of the midweek game in Barcelona. There, she spoke of Bright's importance over the years and wished the best for the experienced defender.
"Millie is a real big personality and big player for England and Chelsea," Bronze said. "She's missed with what she brings on and off the pitch.
"We want to make sure she's OK both physically and mentally. She's someone who's quite tough and it's brave that she came out and spoke. I want her to feel OK again."
READ MORE: Aggie Beever-Jones reveals Sarina Wiegman's simple message before Lionesses' hat-trick
Speaking to Rachel Daly on the Daly Brightness podcast, Bright shed some more light on the reasons for her international absence. "I think mentally and physically I’m at my limits, which is why I’m not at camp," she said. "That is a really hard decision but I think you know better than anyone as well - sometimes you just have to take that time for yourself.
"You need to value yourself and your mental health and body, and just say that no, right now is not the time for you. You need to value yourself and your mental health and body, and just say that no, right now is not the time for you.”
Lucy Bronze scoring for England vs Portugal
Lucy Bronze scored one of England's six goals against Portugal on Friday
England go into Tuesday's match needing a win to top their Nations League group and make it into the play-offs later in the year. Alessia Russo and Ella Toone are available again, having missed out due to minor injuries on Friday.
The match offers a final chance for squad members to impress head coach Wiegman before she names her squad for the upcoming European Championships on Thursday this week. England go into the tournament as defending champions, but have been handed a tough group stage draw against France, Wales and the Netherlands.
"We are pretty close," Wiegman said when asked about her final squad for the tournament in Switzerland. "Still you want to go to the game tomorrow and then make the final decisions, but we are pretty close."
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