Jepson unsure of future as she battles to keep Spurs up

Interim boss Vicky Jepson is confident she can steer Tottenham to Women's Super League safety but remains in the dark about her future. 

Spurs suffered a 5-1 defeat to rivals Arsenal yesterday in Jepson's second match since she was asked to step up from her role as assistant to replace the sacked Rehanne Skinner. 

A 1-0 win over Leicester in her debut in charge significantly boosted Tottenham's hopes of avoiding relegation but their latest result kept them in the mix down at the bottom ahead of next weekend's trip to Everton. 

Former Liverpool boss Jepson, 36, said: "We win and lose together, we concede together, we score together, it is no one's fault. 

"We'll review this and make sure these next six games we put the lessons from the second half right. 

"They're a resilient bunch. They've been through a lot. This [result] won't define us. We can't let our heads drop. 

"We have to push our shoulders back, keep our heads high and focus on the next game. 

"I am here as long as the club want me here but I am not going anywhere from the girls' point of view. I am with them through thick and thin. 

"I'll give 110 per cent, just as the girls will, and we'll battle right until the very end. Hopefully that is enough to keep us in the WSL."

Bethany England was on target again for Tottenham with her sixth goal since a big-money move from Chelsea in January. 

A strong start to life at Spurs was unable to help the forward get back in Sarina Wiegman's England group for last month's SheBelieves Cup. 

But the in-form attacker has been backed to return to the national team set-up when the latest squad is announced next week. 

Jepson added: "I think she's just a born leader. You can see how she didn't give up right until the final whistle, regardless of the scoreline. 

"She genuinely wants to run through a brick wall for everybody here. I couldn't ask for more from her. 

"If she continues scoring goals for us like she did against Leicester, there's no reason why she shouldn't be getting called up for England."