Leah Williamson has been backed to bring football home to Milton Keynes after roaring to European Championship fame last summer.

The Arsenal defender and Milton Keynes native, 25, has returned to captain Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses ahead of their Arnold Clark Cup clash with Korea Republic at Stadium MK on Thursday.

And Lionesses legend Fara Williams, who racked up a record 172 caps between 2001 and 2019, believes Williamson's evolving leadership and captaincy skills can help England defend their trophy.

The 39-year-old, speaking ahead of the Lionesses’ opening game said: "It's the England captain coming back home.

"A hometown girl from Milton Keynes, this will be really big for her.

"I think Leah has always been a great leader and mature above her age.

"I remember when I first met her and in a normal conversation outside of football you would think that she was older than she is.

"She's got that leadership within her and I think it really helps her captaincy and how she communicates with her teammates and the staff and manager.

"Being that person in between, she's balanced when she gives her views and opinions.

"I just think that she's going to grow even more into this role and become an even better leader than she already is.

"Only being given the armband permanently a few months before lifting the European trophy and the first Lionesses captain to do that, I'm just sure that there's plenty more success coming her way."

Williamson missed the international games in October and November due to a foot injury but has returned to the squad once more under Wiegman.

Since bouncing back in December, the defender has fought to help an injury-ridden Arsenal in the Women's Super League.

Jonas Eidevall's team currently sit fourth in the table following their recent 2-1 loss to Manchester City and Williams believes that consistency for players is key for them to return to the top.

"Leah had an injury early on in the season so she was out for a while and then to come back into the team will have been difficult," she said.

"So her season won't have started as she would have wanted.

"But she's improved and we've seen in recent games that she's gone from a back two and back three into a midfield area. So she will now want that consistency.

"I know Leah and I know her as a player and she likes to be consistent in her performances and her position.

"She's had to rotate a lot recently and the team haven't played that well in the past few games compared to what we've seen before but I think that's down to injury and trying new things."

The Lionesses kick off their Arnold Clark Cup campaign against Korea Republic before facing Belgium and Italy later in the week.

And with over 70,000 tickets sold, Williams has faith that skipper Williamson will help England continue their recent reign of success ahead of an approaching World Cup in Australia.

"Last year, the Arnold Clark Cup was the tournament that really sent the Lionesses on their way to success and have them that confidence going into the Euros," she said.

"This time it's a different test, with three different types of opposition and preparing for the World Cup.

"Hopefully we get the support for the Lionesses but also for the other teams that are coming over.

"We want to support the women's game as a whole.

"The quality and calibre of players on the pitch is another dimension now so for any football fan this is a great opportunity to see some high-quality football."

Roar on the Lionesses in the Arnold Clark Cup, 16-22 February 2023. Last remaining tickets available at www.arnoldclarkcup.com