From 'biggest low' to 'highest high' - Pattinson's 2025-26

London City Lionesses defender Poppy Pattinson says she has gone from her "biggest low" to her "highest high" after making her debut for England in the 6-1 win over Ukraine last week.

The 25-year-old missed the first half of the season through injury after joining London City last summer but did enough on her return to catch Sarina Wiegman's eye.

After breaking through at Sunderland in the mid-2010s, Pattinson said she "never gave up" on international recognition.

"Mine is a perfect example of never knowing when it can come, as long as you don't give up but instead give everything," she said. "I have had seven consistent years in the league but went to my biggest low with my injury.

"Then to go straight back up to my highest high - that's football and you can't describe it."

Brought on at half-time for the World Cup qualifier, she has staked a claim to fill the left-back spot for England.

"I had the best 12 days away with the team," she said. "You can see it's a really special group.

"The goal is to make that [position] my own, but obviously the quality of players that are competing is very high. I think we can keep pushing each other to make it even better."

Meanwhile, at club level, London City are preparing to host Champions League holders Arsenal on Sunday in front of the first sellout crowd in their short history.

And Pattinson says the group are not lacking confidence.

"We're going to go for it - the girls are super excited," she added. "We've run some of the big teams close this year so it is about time we got a result!"