ENGLAND goalkeeper Jo Fletcher is devastated after being told she will sit out what would have been the biggest game of her career tomorrow.
The England team take on Sweden at Ewood Park knowing a draw would seal a place in the last four of the European Championships.
But Chester student Fletcher was told on Tuesday - the day before she played in England's 2-1 defeat to Denmark - that she wasn't going to figure against Sweden.
Fletcher had seemingly made the shirt her own with a string of fine performances in the absence of injured number one Rachel Brown.
But England boss Hope Powell is keen to bring Brown back for tomorrow's game - at the expense of Fletcher.
The Malpas girl said: 'It's very disappointing to play seven or eight games in a row, do well and then be told that you are not going to play in a really important game.
'It seems an odd decision to bring back a player who has been injured and hasn't been playing at club level for ages for such an big game.
'I'm not going to argue with the decision. The manager picks the team and I respect that. It's just a bit hard to take after performing so well.
'It would have been better if I had been told after the Denmark game because it was really hard to play a game knowing that you were going to be dropped no matter how well you did.
'There's no hard feelings between me and Rachel. All the goalkeepers get on really well but I hope I can get the jersey back if we make the semi-finals.'
Fletcher, who is completing her masters degree in exercise science and nutrition at University College Chester, has been under the media spotlight all week after starting for England in Sunday's 3-2 victory over Finland in the tournament's opening game
A post-war record crowd for a women's match this side of the Atlantic, just under 30,000, created a good atmosphere in the City of Manchester Stadium for the match - which was televised live on BBC2.
Fletcher said: 'Before, I have only played in front of about 9,000 people so it was great to play in front of such big crowds. I've got a tape of it which will be great to look back on.
'The atmosphere was excellent but you block it out during the game and just focus on the match.
'Apparently, there was a big Mexican wave going on when they scored on Sunday and our manager asked if that had put me off, but I didn't see it!
'It's been a hectic week. We've been training twice a day and talking to the media every day. The interest is great and we hope we can do well to really help raise the profile of the game further.'
Fletcher, who plays for Birmingham City, said: 'We are quietly confident that we can do well in this tournament. We have the players to beat anyone in the world on our day. Sweden are one of the top teams so we know it will be tough, but we can do it.
'It's been strange because, as hosts, we haven't played a competitive game for two years, so I think that has affected us. It's very different from playing in a friendly so I think we have been caught a little cold.
'We wanted to beat Denmark so we could go out and enjoy ourselves against Sweden, but we are aware of the job we need to do now.'
Fletcher received good luck messages from friends, family and fans back home - including Chester manager Keith Curle.
Curle said: 'Jo's involvement is great for the town and college. She is more than welcome to come down to Chester City for a training session anytime.'
Fletcher added: 'The support has been great. People are asking my mum and dad how we are doing all the time. Hopefully we can do everyone proud.'
