Mary Earps: The best is yet to come from England at Women's World Cup

Mary Earps believes the "best is yet to come" from England as they prepare to take on Colombia for a place in the last four of the Women's World Cup.

The Manchester United goalkeeper has played an integral role in England's tournament progression so far, keeping a clean sheet in three of the four games and only conceding a penalty to China.

Earps helped pull the Lionesses through their last 16 penalty shootout against Nigeria, making a number of saves during 120 draining minutes to demonstrate why she was named the FIFA Best Women's Goalkeeper in 2022.

And while she's been a standout individual for Sarina Wiegman, she remains full of praise for the depth of England's 23-player squad and says there's more to follow in terms of quality.

“I really believe the best is yet to come,” Earps told the media ahead of England's quarter-final, which will be played at the sold out 83,000-seater Stadium Australia in Sydney.

“I think there’s so much talent in the group, so many more levels that we can go, I really do believe that. There’s an incredible wealth of talent and experience, yes from experiences that we’ve had together as an international team but also as the teams that we play for at club level and all the different fixtures that we’ve experienced over the years.

“It’s an exciting time to be an England player.”

Looking at the building blocks that have paved the way for the players to be able to compete at such a high level, Earps praised domestic leagues, cups and club tournaments for preparing the players to rise to new heights at the World Cup.

“We’re constantly looking to improve and drive performance and drive our standards,” the shot stopped continued, revealing that, despite topping their group and excelling past the round of 16, there is still a lot more for England to give in this tournament.

“We're very much here to do our best and go as far as we can in the competition, and we don't take anybody lightly,” she said when asked about the players that England could come up against, the likes of Linda Caicedo and Catalina Usme who have been impressive in the campaign so far.

“I think we are in a really good spot and I think we've got more gears that we can go. I really do feel that but absolutely every single game, it can be over at any moment and Nigeria was a really fierce contest.

READ THE LATEST LIONESSES WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2023 NEWS HERE

"I'm glad that we were able to see that out and I think we showed great character and resilience and we came together as a team and as a group of players and staff, in terms of the preparation and in terms of all the detail that goes into these things, not just the 90 minutes, the extra time and the penalties as well. It's always a reminder.”

Reflecting on the tough games played so far, Earps insisted that regardless of how England have emerged victorious, the fact they have done is a huge shot in the arm for the group's confidence.

“I think the most important thing to know about that is the fact that we've been winning games and that's the most important thing. We're in a results business and we've earned the right to be in the position we're in today.

“I don't think we've been bad by any means but I think you've seen glimpses of what we're capable of and as a team, we know the standard that we want to get to and we know that we can give more.

“Not to say again, that our efforts haven’t been 110 per cent, we've grinded out those results. However, in terms of the way that we'd like to dominate games and the way that we'd like to go about our business, I think as a group we're excited by that challenge of knowing that we can do more, we think we can do more and that will come with time and playing together and learning and experience and all these things.”

WATCH FARA WILLIAMS PICK HER ALL-TIME LIONESSES XI

Girls On The Ball are joined by England legend Fara Williams as she runs through an all-time Lionesses XI of her former international teammates!