Lucy Bronze praises Phil Neville's refreshing approach

Neville was appointed at the start of 2018, and the FA's choice was met with some criticism due to his lack of experience in the women's game.

However, Bronze, who has been a major part of the England team in recent years, and who captained the side during Steph Houghton's absence, has enjoyed the fresh approach of Neville.

"It is new but it's quite refreshing to have someone so different," Bronze said.

"He's not worked in women's football before so he has such a different opinion on so many things."

"He's not already got a ready-made opinion on everyone just because he's read something about them or watched a YouTube clip. He's got such a raw opinion and it's really refreshing."

"He's got such an amazing experience that I don't think we could have got off another manager. The guy's worked under the best manager that's ever been in Sir Alex Ferguson. Phil's got that experience that he can bring some of those things to us."

England are gearing up to play a crucial match against Wales on Friday, as the winner automatically qualifies for the Women's World Cup in France next summer.

England Women sit in fourth in the world rankings, with Wales 25 places behind.

However, Wales will be tough opposition, and the reverse fixture saw them hold England to a 0-0 draw in April.

The Olympique Lyon player has made it clear that England will be looking for the win, to make their qualification secure:

"For this team we want to qualify on Friday, of course," she said.

"We wanted to already have qualified. We wanted to have won every single game. All the top teams want to win every game."

"We could be playing Germany and be saying well of course we want to win. It doesn't make a difference to this England team and that is something that's changed for us."

The team who ends up in second at the end of the group stage will have the chance to qualify as one of the four best second-placed teams in a play-off.