Lionesses Ready for Battle: Lauren James Eyes World Cup Dream Against Greece

Lauren James has made it clear that England is ready to embrace the challenge ahead as they prepare for their two-legged Women's World Cup qualification play-off against Greece. The Lionesses will first head to Crete on Friday before returning home to Leicester four days later for the decisive match. After finishing second in their qualifying group behind Spain, England now finds themselves in a must-win situation. James knows they cannot change the past and must focus on the task at hand: securing victories against Greece. "We can't change what happened and that's where we are now," James told Sky Sports News. "We have to just try to look forward to win these games." The stakes are high, as a successful outcome against Greece means they'll face the winner of the Slovakia vs Ukraine match. The prize? A coveted spot in next summer's World Cup in Brazil. "The World Cup's a massive tournament that you always want to be a part of. It's everyone's dream from a little kid," she added, highlighting the significance of this opportunity. James, who recently extended her contract with Chelsea, is in excellent form. The club has only dropped two points in their first five league matches this season. "I think the best is still to come," she stated confidently. "I'm always looking forward to coming into camp with England and getting another opportunity to play games for the country." She emphasized the importance of club performance in earning national team call-ups, and she’s eager to keep building her momentum. "Every time I put on a shirt, whether it's for club or country, I always want to just show what I'm made of." In other news, Chelsea midfielder Lexi Potter expressed her surprise and excitement at receiving her first call-up for the World Cup play-off fixtures. The 20-year-old has had a strong start to the season, contributing to Chelsea's success in the Women's Super League. Potter, who scored in a recent match against Birmingham, was overjoyed when she learned about her selection. "I was really surprised," she said, recalling the moment she shared the news with her proud mother. "I like to stay focused every day and be the best version of myself and don't like to think too far ahead," she added, embodying the determination that will be crucial for the Lionesses as they aim for World Cup glory.