Toone’s father Nick died in September and the 25-year-old injured her calf in training for Manchester United two months later.

Since returning in January, Toone has scored six goals in seven matches for United, including a hat-trick at Etihad Stadium in a 4-2 victory over rivals Manchester City.

Toone is back with the England squad for this month’s Women’s Nations League fixtures against Portugal and Spain and says she feels in a “better place” now.

“The first half of the season was really hard for me. I had a lot going on. I probably didn’t admit that I was struggling more than I was,” Toone told BBC Sport.

“I was trying to play football but not enjoying it. What was meant to be my happy place wasn’t. I was putting too much pressure on myself.

“When I put pressure on myself, I can’t play my best football. I didn’t know that until I got the injury – a blessing in disguise – and I stepped away from the pitch for a bit.

“It made me realise that was what I was doing and I needed help. I needed to ask for it.”

Toone received support from team-mates including England winger Beth Mead, whose mother died from cancer in January 2023.

The United midfielder also spoke to a counsellor, which she credits with helping her “process grief and to find that love for football again”.

“I’m not the finished article just yet. There’s a lot to work on and I think that will be the same for the rest of my life but I’m in such a better place than I was before,” Toone said.

“If I need someone, I know there’s someone always there. I think that’s the main thing about football. You’re not just on your own.

“You have got a group of girls who, for me, are like sisters. I’m very lucky to have had them. They have definitely helped me on my journey.”

The Lionesses begin their Nations League campaign on Friday against Portugal (19:45 GMT), before hosting Spain at Wembley next week.

They are preparing to defend their European title in Switzerland this summer but have received criticism for recent performances.

A 4-3 defeat by Germany was followed by a lacklustre display against South Africa in October and they were unconvincing in a 0-0 draw with the USA and a 1-0 win over Switzerland a month later.

But Toone says the players “don’t really listen” to criticism.

“That outside opinion shouldn’t really matter. It’s what we know we’re doing in training,” she added.

“We know that this team will be ready when it matters. We also know the big target on our back – that everyone wants to come and beat England.

“We will make sure that we put on a performance, block out the outside noise and have belief within the squad that we can do it.”