The defender was selected in Sarina Wiegman’s squad for the upcoming tournament alongside eight of her City teammates having missed each of the last three selections through injury.
The Lionesses face Janine Beckie’s Canada at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium on Thursday evening before locking horns with European heavyweights Spain and Germany in the round-robin tournament.
It’s a difficult prospect for England, but Bronze says she and her teammates are relishing the challenge of facing some of the world’s best international sides.
“I’m excited to be back in the England squad. I was disappointed to have missed out on so much previously,” she explained.
“We have a new manager and a couple of new faces, we’re playing a different way and the Euros around the corner so I’m excited to be back in with the girls.
“Obviously I’ve not been with the girls but the games we’ve played recently have been easier in terms of where the nations are ranked.
“Now, it’s Canada who just won an Olympic gold medal. Spain are predominantly Barcelona players who won the Champions League and there’s always a fierce rivalry with Germany, who are the country who have won the most Euros.
“There’s a lot we can learn from all three – all three will pose a different challenge – but it’s a good challenge and it’s what England needs right now.”
Since recovering from knee surgery last summer and making her first appearance of the season in January, Bronze has been integral to City’s rich vein of form in 2022.
However, the defender believes the best is yet to come as she continues to gradually regain her sharpness.
She said: “I’m slowly getting back. Some games feel a bit better and in others, it hits me that I’ve played seven games in four weeks after not playing for six months!
“In some games, I’m more tired than everyone else but I just try to battle through because the other team doesn’t care whether you’re fit or not!
“I want to be there and help the team, pushing the girls around me as well and pushing myself.
“It’s slow but steady, but I’m feeling good so far.”
England face Canada on Thursday 17 February in the Arnold Clark Cup, with kick-off scheduled for 19:30 (UK).
Keep across mancity.com and the official Man City app for a City-focused report on proceedings.
