Bethany England has gatecrashed the Lionesses squad for the 2023 Women's World Cup. 

The striker, 29, fell out of favour with England boss Sarina Wiegman after losing her place at Chelsea. 

But a January switch to Tottenham paid off as she got back among the goals and made it impossible for Wiegman to ignore her. 

Ahead of England's warm-up game against Portugal this afternoon, we examine what the Spurs hotshot will bring to the squad in Australia and New Zealand this summer. 

Chelsea decision

England took a gamble earlier this year in order to book her trip to the World Cup. 

Part of the squad for the Euro 2022 triumph, she first lost her place at Chelsea and then with the national team. 

After seven seasons with the Blues, England made the tough decision to move across the capital to join Spurs for a record-breaking domestic transfer fee of £250,000. 

In doing so, she left the most successful club in the country to sign up for a relegation battle. 

It was a tough decision — but one the goalscorer felt compelled to make. 

She said: "It was a big risk, I'd been at Chelsea for seven years, that was a big part of my professional career, and I didn't like the thought of change. 

"I could've stayed in my comfort zone but ultimately I didn't want to be in a position where I didn't give everything to going to the World Cup. 

"I would've regretted that looking back on my career." 

Tottenham renaissance

England's form since signing for Spurs ultimately ensured she would have no regrets about her decision. 

She scored 13 goals in 14 appearances, including 12 from 12 matches in the Women's Super League. 

Those performances kept the North Londoners in the top flight with a ninth-placed finish and saw her included in Wiegman's squad for the World Cup. 

Ahead of facing Portugal, England spoke about how playing for a struggling team revealed fresh qualities in her. 

She said: "I had to take on a new role where I became more of a leader. 

"I lead from the front, I was having to try and make things happen a lot more and obviously not having the ball as much as I'd been used to having it. 

"I think in a way it's changed part of my game and also strengthened other parts. 

"People would say it paid off for me. But ultimately, I think if I'd stayed where I was, sat on the bench, I would never be here today." 

Striker fight

Wiegman has plenty of attacking options, with England competing with Alessia Russo and Rachel Daly for the lone striker role. 

It was Russo, who recently left Manchester United, that started in the position for the Finalissima victory against Brazil and the subsequent friendly defeat to Australia. 

Russo failed to score in either game and faces a battle to keep her place. 

Both Daly, who won the WSL Golden Boot with Aston Villa, and England will be pushing for the opportunity to show what they can do.

England said: "Sarina has been in a position where she's been able to see me more, playing regularly, scoring goals, whereas I think going into the Euros, she'd only seen snippets of it. 

"They know I can bring that to this team already and hopefully I'm put in a position where I can help showcase that."