Thursday 9 May 2019 23:17, UK
Manchester City forward Nikita Parris says the England squad are heaping pressure on themselves to improve upon their showing four years ago by winning the Women’s World Cup.
A third-placed finish at the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada made the Lionesses the most successful senior England team ever to have travelled to a tournament overseas.
England have been drawn in the same group as Scotland, Argentina and 2011 winners Japan at this summer's tournament in France, and Parris sees no reason why the Lionesses cannot return home as world champions.
"You can't go from winning bronze at the World Cup in 2015 to having no pressure in the next World Cup," Parris told Sky Sports News after collecting the Football Writers' Association Women's Footballer of the Year award.
"You've got to push on from there and we are going there to win gold. We have won bronze already and gold is the next step for us. Everyone in the team knows that and we're really thriving off the pressure.
"Realistically, England can win it because we have got some of the best players in the world in our squad. We don't hide from the fact that we want to win it.
"It's all about putting on performances but before that it's about putting in the training work each and every day to ensure when that first game comes against Scotland on June 9 that we're ready to hit the ground running."
Thursday night was a double celebration for Manchester City with Raheem Sterling collecting the men's award.
Parris, who won the Continental Cup and the Women's FA Cup with City this season, is thrilled to have been recognised alongside Sterling, who has been a good friend of hers for a number of years.
"It feels amazing to be voted for by the Football Writers' Association," she said.
"I am really grateful for the award and I hope the night is special, with two Manchester City players getting the award. Many congratulations to Raheem, I think he has been fantastic this year.
"It has been a fantastic season for us, winning two trophies and we'll really be fighting for that league trophy next year. It is a fantastic time for women's football and the England team."
