Toone

While Toone was absent, others have taken their opportunity in an England shirt.

Aston Villa midfielder Lucia Kendall impressed in England’s 1-0 victory over Spain, while Manchester City’s Laura Blindkilde Brown started against Iceland.

United team-mate Jess Park has also played in the number 10 position, while Chelsea’s Lauren James is an option if she is not used as a winger.

While Toone says she has enjoyed watching her team-mates thrive, she is eager to prove herself to manager Sarina Wiegman again this week.

“You are never guaranteed to be selected, no matter what your journey has been like in an England shirt,” said Toone.

“Every time the squad comes out, you’re still worried you might not make it. Missing the last few camps, I knew I had to make myself available for this selection.

“I came to the last camp to see Alessia [Russo] and the girls and I reminded Sarina that I’m a number 10 and I’ll be ready for the next camp.”

Despite her eagerness to impress Wiegman, Toone says she has to remember “not to put too much pressure” on herself and to enjoy her return to action.

“I do play my best football when there is no pressure. That is what I’ve tried to do. I know I’ve been out for a long time,” she added.

“I made sure I used the time wisely and I feel like I’m in a really good place.”

Arsenal striker Alessia Russo, Toone’s best friend, says it is nice to have her “comfort blanket” back in the England squad for this month’s matches.

“I obviously did miss her when she wasn’t here. Everyone kept asking me if I was OK. I was like: ‘I’m fine!’

“She’s worked so hard to get back. Injuries are rubbish but she’s really matured over the last year or two and within her body. I’m really happy to have her back.”

Toone says she would not have got through the past couple of years without her fiance Joe Bunney, who was a “rock” to her family while also dealing with his own grief for a man Toone describes as his “bestie”.

The pair were so close that Bunney took on Nick’s dream of creating a girls’ football academy when the former Rochdale player’s own career came to an end in 2025.

Bunney, who played at various lower league clubs after his career at Bolton Wanderers was derailed in 2019 when he suffered injuries in a car crash just a week after signing for them, says: “Ella and her dad said, ‘let’s do an academy’.

“I was coming towards the end of my career, I had a little bit more time so I said, ’I’ll put all my eggs in this basket and try and build something’.”

They set up the ET7 Academy, where he says “standards tend to go through the roof” when Toone comes to watch.

“Nick absolutely loved it, seeing these young girls come through and playing football. It was almost like he was reliving Ella’s life again,” adds Bunney. “That’s where my passion came from.”

Toone is “really proud” of her fiance and says he “sacrifices a lot”.

“The academy bought us together even though it is very stressful,” she adds. ”I think his hard work goes unnoticed but definitely not by me.

“Setting up the academy is part of dad’s legacy. He loved being part of something that he knew would help young girls have opportunities.”

Watch the trailer for a new BBC Sport documentary offering unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to Manchester United and England star Ella Toone as she prepares for her wedding.

Launching on BBC Sport’s YouTube channel and BBC iPlayer on Friday 29 May, 24 Hours With Ella Toone is the first episode of a new BBC Sport digital series which captures a defining 24-hour chapter with some of sport’s most fascinating characters.

Watch on Friday 29 May from 18:00 BST on BBC Sport’s YouTube channel, external, 19:00 on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three. The YouTube Premiere page will be available from 18:00 on Wednesday to set a reminder.

READ MORE: How Toone is navigating grief through football

Available to UK users only.