Earps: We love to meet fans but the emphasis needs to switch

Mary Earps will forever be grateful for the opportunity to inspire young fans — but the Lionesses star admits it is becoming harder to keep everyone happy. 

The England and Manchester United No1 took to Instagram in response to being labelled "far too busy and important" to interact with supporters following Manchester United's 5-0 win at Everton last Sunday.

She described the comment as "hurtful" and stressed she had spent as long as possible with those who had stuck around at full-time. 

Speaking ahead of England's Nations League clash with Belgium tomorrow night, 30-year-old Earps said: "It's incredibly rewarding, the greater purpose. I love playing football, diving in the mud and playing for my country. 

"But to give back to people, change the way things are done and give kids the opportunity to do things I couldn't [is amazing].

"Expectation is a huge compliment. The accessibility to us as players is a hot topic. 

"We're experiencing it in a very different way with the profile of the game changing. We love to interact with our fans.

"It's becoming difficult to keep everybody happy. We're grateful that thousands want to see us. 

"But if that's the expectation, we'll always fall short. The emphasis needs to switch now."

Sarina Wiegman's side must get their Nations League campaign back on track at Leicester's King Power Stadium after losing 2-1 in the Netherlands last time out.

But they must do so without Chelsea star Lauren James, who has been ruled out of the double-header with the Belgians due to concussion. 

Wiegman said: "Unfortunately, Lauren's not ready for tomorrow and she won't be ready for Tuesday. 

"Nothing to worry about. She picked up a concussion and she knows we have to be careful of the protocols, so that's just too short to be ready for the two games."