Greece vs England: How Ella Toone’s Lionesses snub could boost her World Cup chances

Ella Toone may have started this international break on the outside looking in, but she looks set to emerge from it with her chances of making it to Brazil next summer strengthened.

Toone was dropped for the World Cup play-off games against Greece after struggling for form at the start of the season with Manchester United.

England head coach Sarina Wiegman admitted Toone’s performances had not been up to the expected standard and laid down a challenge for the two-time Euros winner.

The experienced head coach wanted to see how Toone would respond, both on and off the field. The results have impressed the usually stoic Wiegman.

A disappointed Toone accepted she would be watching the Greece games on TV and admitted to reporters after her last WSL game that she would use being dropped as “fuel to come back even better”.

She then went to Spain to reset mentally and physically.

Instead of chilling out by the pool in Marbella, Toone put in the work to make sure she returned to her club in peak condition.

Then came the call from Wiegman – one gratefully received by the midfielder, even if she is likely to sit on the bench for the next two matches.

Toone does not care. She just wants to be part of things again, even if that means a last-minute scramble across Europe.

All of this has made Wiegman smile. She wanted a professional and motivated reaction from one of her go-to players, and she has got it.

Wiegman wants to take all her trusted lieutenants to Brazil, giving them the chance to go into battle together one last time before she calls time on her England tenure.

Toone is in that select group. It appears overcoming this setback has made her even more respected by her coach.

England have lacked depth in midfield in recent years. Since Fran Kirby’s retirement, Toone, Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway have largely been the first-choice trio.

That may no longer be the case.

Twenty-year-old Lexi Potter’s form at Chelsea cannot be ignored, while Erica Meg Parkinson, who is just 18, is a regular starter in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

Then there is Lucia Kendall, who is well-liked by Wiegman, while Laura Blinkilde Brown and Grace Clinton have just won the Women’s Super League (WSL) with Manchester City.

Despite the increased competition, Wiegman admits big games “aren’t the time for rotation”.

That is another positive Toone can take from this situation.

If she can rediscover her best form for Manchester United, Toone can once again become the player Wiegman turns to when the stakes are highest.

England are planning for plenty of those occasions this season, and Toone appears determined to make sure she is there for as many of them as possible.