Naomi Layzell: The England teenager on Sarina Wiegman’s radar

Naomi Layzell was playing in the Women’s Championship and for England’s youth teams two years ago – but on Wednesday she was training with the European champions.

The opportunity took Layzell by surprise as the 19-year-old became the latest youngster to reap benefits from Sarina Wiegman’s interest in England’s next generation.

Emma Coates’ under-23 squad are on a warm-weather training camp in Spain alongside England’s senior players for the first time and it has given the youngsters a taste of what could come their way in the future.

They will hope to follow in the footsteps of recent senior call-ups Grace Clinton, Khiara Keating and Jess Park.

Bristol City centre-back Layzell was told by Coates she would be training with Wiegman’s senior team on the evening they arrived in Marbella – and the former under-18 international jumped at the chance.

“It was really exciting. Nerve-racking obviously, but I was really happy with the opportunity,” said Layzell.

“It doesn’t come around every day and to play and train with some of the best players in the world, you’re going to snatch at that chance if you can get it.”

Layzell was straight on the phone to her parents to tell them the news.

“I was told after dinner and just thought ‘OK, make sure you get a good night’s sleep, you’ve got training tomorrow, try not to be too nervous’. I was trying not to shake.

“Sarina had a quick chat with me and then spoke to me after training as well. I called my parents [but] because I hadn’t spoken to them since arriving, they were just trying to get all the details of the flight and everything.

“I was like: ‘I’ve got something to tell you.’ They said they knew some people would get the opportunity and they’re so proud of me and all the work I’ve done.”