England and Arsenal defender Leah Williamson has said she "is more focused than ever to be back on the pitch" after being made an OBE at Windsor Castle.

Williamson was forced to miss the World Cup, where the Lionesses finished runners-up, after rupturing her ACL in April.

The 26-year-old ace, who captained the Lionesses to the European Championship title last summer, told the PA news agency: "I've made some good steps. I'm running again now. We are in a great place.

"Days like today I can celebrate them properly with my family but I am more focused than ever to be back on the pitch."

Williamson reckons she could feel like "a new signing for my team" when she does return. 

The Lionesses star also revealed she had "a bit of a catch up" with the Prince of Wales after recently seeing him at a United Nations event in New York.

Williamson became the first England women's footballer to address the UN when she spoke at the Sustainability Development Goals Summit.

Asked about speaking at the United Nations summit, she said: "We have made so much impact on the pitch and it's obviously important we do that off the pitch as well.

"There were a lot of things I'd spoken to people about and that I really wanted to give my time to and I've been able to do that while I've been injured.

"It's not my preferred choice, I'd love to have shin pads and boots on on the pitch.

"But while I'm not out [there] I want to still try and have an impact and do what we do, just in a different way."