Kildunne Says England Did Not Drop Her, Her Role Changed

Ellie Kildunne has pushed back on the idea that England cut her from their recent tour of North America, saying it would be "harsh" to describe it that way. The Red Roses World Cup winner says her job within the squad was changed rather than taken away.

Her comments shift the focus from selection to responsibility. Coaches often ask a player to take on a different task depending on the opponent, the game plan or who else is in the group, and Kildunne's remarks suggest that is what happened on this tour. She did not give detailed accounts of her conversations with the coaching staff, so the precise nature of the new role is not clear from her comments alone.

For England, the episode is a reminder that a squad's depth is tested after a major tournament, when players with proven records still have to earn their place in each set of fixtures. For Kildunne, the key question is whether the changed role leads to regular minutes and a clear route back into the starting side.