Lucy Staniforth says her recall to the England squad after being a standby player ahead of the World Cup is something she feels she earned. The 30-year-old, who had been set to go on holiday with her mother to Ibiza, changed that plan when she was called up by Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman in late June to replace Jess Park on a standby list also featuring Maya Le Tissier. Staniforth was subsequently involved in preparations at home and then in Australia before parting ways with the squad as the tournament – in which Wiegman’s European champions went on to finish runners-up – got under way. The Aston Villa midfielder, capped 17 times, most recently in October 2021, is back in the fold at the first opportunity since the World Cup, for the upcoming Nations League matches against Scotland and Netherlands. She said: “I think from January, moving to Villa (after leaving Manchester United), it sort of put me back in the frame of England. “It was always on my radar, something I wanted to get back into, and it felt like there was sort of unfinished business with the team. “I really want to contribute and not just be here for the ride. So it was really pleasing to hear from Sarina and know I was called up to this camp. “I felt like I’d earned it, and it’s a really satisfying feeling to know you’ve put in that hard work and obviously made an impact in the pre camps before the World Cup. And it just feels like I’m in the right place, this is where I should be.” Staniforth says the standby stint left her with “fire in my belly”. “I wouldn’t call it bittersweet,” she said. “It was such a wonderful camp. It was a real privilege to be part of that whole experience. I think me and Maya certainly enjoyed ourselves and we brought lots of good stuff to the camp too. “But when we had to say goodbye, it was a bit like ‘the dream’s over now’. You always kind of had in the back of your head ‘maybe, maybe there’s a chance’. “It’s probably my favourite camp I’ve ever been on, strange as that is because obviously it was stopped shorter than I would have liked. “I came away and had such good feelings and no regrets. It left me in a really good mental place to go ‘OK, there’s still so much I want to achieve, there’s so much I want to do with England, and with Aston Villa.’ I just had so much hunger and fire in my belly.” Asked if the experience had given her an extra push in pre-season, Staniforth said: “Oh yeah – I’ve been trying so hard! I felt like I'd earned it, and it's a really satisfying feeling to know you've put in that hard work and obviously made an impact in the pre camps before the World Cup Lucy Staniforth “I have felt every rep, every run we’ve done. It’s been a really hard pre-season, probably the hardest I’ve done. I’ve really enjoyed the pain and the struggle! “I kind of just had a little word with myself in the gym and was like ‘right – you’ve got time now, let’s go for it, let’s really push.’ “I just thought to myself ‘come on, let’s get down and work really hard’, and I’m really glad I’ve done that because now I’m here, I feel really good, really fit and I’m really looking forward to the England games.” England face Scotland at the Stadium of Light on Friday, and ex-Sunderland player Staniforth feels it would be “pretty cool” to be involved again at a ground where she played in an FA Cup semi-final win over Chelsea in 2009. She added: “I have really fond memories of living and playing in the north east. I’m so excited to get back up there and whatever happens on Friday is just a bonus.” Staniforth was “really proud” of her team-mates for their efforts at the World Cup – and regarding her mother, she said: “She went on holiday on her own and had an amazing time, so I was really happy for her. It’s the first holiday, first flight, everything, that she’d done on her own, so I was like ‘well done Mum!'” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Steve McNamara enjoying ‘excitement’ of three-way battle to top Super League David Raya backed himself to be number one at Arsenal Jason Roy rejects England call as Tom Kohler-Cadmore added to squad

Alessia Russo was thrilled to open her World Cup account as England’s attack came alive in their 6-1 victory over China to conclude the group stage. The 24-year-old, who joined Arsenal on a free transfer from Manchester United last month, has been boss Sarina Wiegman’s first-choice centre-forward so far this tournament to fill the void left by retired striker Ellen White. Russo netted the fourth-minute opener in Adelaide, one of five goal-scorers for an inspired England side, who sealed top spot in Group D and will now test their perfect record in the last 16 against Nigeria in Brisbane. “(I’m) Buzzing. I’m a striker, I like to score as much as I can,” said Russo. “(It was) a positive night, six goals as well, lots of chances created and lots of goals scored. “You’ve just got to go back to basics, work hard and that’s what I’ve been doing in training, hoping for a moment and when you get it you’ve got to take it with both hands. “Really pleased to get on the scoresheet but more importantly we topped the group and now we’re ready for knockout football.” Nigeria, 40th in FIFA’s global rankings, entered the competition as the top-ranked team from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and managed to outplay world number seven and Olympic champions Canada alongside number 22 Republic of Ireland to finish second in Group B and book a place in the last 16. Russo vowed that while the Lionesses were fully focused on China until they wrapped up Group D, they will “get rested, recovered and fully get locked into Nigeria”, who will be raring to stage another upset. “They’re a good side too, they’re a side that I’ve never faced – I have at youth level but not at senior level – so I’m excited for it, another good test,” she said. Russo, who had not scored in seven games, has so far been preferred to Aston Villa striker Rachel Daly, the 2023 Women’s Super League Golden Boot winner. Versatile Daly came on for Russo after 76 minutes of the Haiti match, started at left-back against Denmark and, in Wiegman’s 3-5-2 formation shake-up, took on the unfamiliar role of left wing-back and scored the last of England’s six against China. The dominant result, combined with her opening strike, perhaps alleviates some of the pressure on Russo, who knows Daly is waiting in the wings, after Wiegman made it clear that she is prepared to make changes in this World Cup. Pressure from the public, however, is another story. Russo added: “I think the media worry about that more than we do as players. We just want to win every game whether it’s 1-0 or 10-0. I think it’s amazing to score that many goals, but we just want to win and progress through this tournament as players.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Ousmane Dembele wants to join PSG, says Barcelona boss Xavi Finn Russell to captain Scotland in World Cup warm-up against France Ireland out to change World Cup story after 2019 disappointment – Tadhg Beirne

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"Let's grab a drink" is a far too familiar phrase for avid daters – but now, a cultural shift has emerged geared towards more mindful dating. Enter sober dating. With more and more people making conscious decisions towards mindfulness, there's no surprise that the movement has racked up almost 5 million views across TikTok. A specialist team at Private Rehab Clinic, Delamere, has witnessed the latest trend and believes it to be a "more positive approach" to alcohol consumption and changing drinking behaviour. "We live in a society where binge drinking is part of everyday life and has a lot of influence over our culture and how individuals socialise, especially when dating," Martin Preston said. "This way of living is inspiring the ‘sober curious movement’ and the latest trend of ‘sober dating’, which is about thinking more consciously about consuming alcohol and our drinking habits." According to their research, 60 per cent of people post-pandemic reduced their intake to improve their health and well being. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter It is predominantly Gen Z driving the new sober dating trend by seeking alternative booze-free ways to socialise. "We’re also seeing a rise in the number of alcohol-free dating apps, which allow those in recovery or simply those exploring their relationship with alcohol to find love," Martin added. "This dating trend has many benefits, from feeling more safe and secure when meeting strangers to getting to know an individual's real personality instead of their drunk personality, to feeling more clear-headed and having an emotional connection." The clinic advises people wanting to try it to join sober dating apps to connect with people with the same mindset. They also believe daytime dates take the pressure of alcohol away, including walks, a show or a creative activity such as pottery painting. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.