Lauren James, who was a major doubt ahead of Sarina Wiegman’s squad selection, played her first match since April when she came on as a 63rd minute substitute in Sunday’s pre-tournament friendly — a 7-0 thrashing of Jamaica. And Wiegman said James could even start when the Lionesses kick off their title defense against France on Saturday in Zurich.

Bright has since undergone knee surgery. They are some of the clouds that linger for England, while James’ own recovery from a hamstring injury and the ghosts of the World Cup means she has a different kind of burden to contend with.