by Our Sports Desk

Lucy Bronze wants a large slice of the action for England at the World Cup — after spending her student days devouring cold pizza for breakfast.

The Lindisfarne-raised Manchester City defender got through university in Leeds just three years ago by earning a crust in a fast-food takeaway near her digs.

At the same time she was battling a knee injury, regularly crossing the Pennines for treatment with her club at the time, Everton, and studying for a sports science degree that she began in the United States.

“We all know that women’s football hasn’t been a great paying career and I was unfortunate when it became full time and more professional and semi-professional that I got struck down with a lot of injuries,” Bronze said.

“Although I was in and around teams like Liverpool and Everton when they were coming into the leagues, I didn’t get paid because I was injured.

“And I was at university doing a full-time degree. So I was injured, rehabbing, trying to train, and travelling from Leeds to Liverpool two or three times a week, and I had to do all my studies because I was doing my dissertation.

“I needed a job to pay for petrol money. It was the student dream: I had cold pizza for breakfast and warm pizza at night and a bottle of Coke to go with it. My diet’s changed a little bit since then.”

Bronze has become an England regular, when fit. She is coming off more knee trouble but is earning decent money as a full-time player at City and has convinced Lionesses manager Mark Sampson she is ready to be called into World Cup action.

At the age of 23 she could partner City teammate Steph Houghton, who captains club and country, in the heart of England’s defence, with the opening game against France looming on June 9.

England’s defensive and midfield spine will need to be at its most resilient in Canada after appearing a potential weak spot in recent home friendlies against Germany, the United States and China.