Norfolk's Lauren Hemp will be targeting a place in the World Cup semi-finals on Saturday morning when England take on Colombia.

The Lionesses will need to reach the final four without forward Lauren James, who has contributed three goals and three assists this tournament, but will be serving the first of her two-match ban for the red card she was issued in England’s last-16 encounter with Nigeria.

Hemp, from North Walsham, scored in the 6-1 win over China but Sarina Wiegman’s side have battled their way into this round, with dominance largely replaced by dogged determination to grind out wins and keep the dream of lifting a first World Cup trophy alive.

Goalkeeper Mary Earps believes “the best is yet to come” from England.

“I think it’s an exciting time to be an England player for sure, but we have to earn that right every day," she said.

“And I think that we’re constantly looking to improve and drive performance and drive our standards and I think that that’s the best thing about it. We’re not sitting here, of course we’re happy that we’re here and grateful that we’re here, but we’re not satisfied, we’re not done, and there’s still more levels we want to go.

“I really believe the best is yet to come. I think there’s so much talent in the group, and so many more levels we can go, I really do believe that.”

Earps has so far conceded just one goal across four World Cup matches this tournament, save for the two spot-kicks that went past her in England’s dramatic 4-2 victory on penalties against Nigeria to set up this Colombia meeting.

The 10-woman Lionesses survived 30 minutes of extra time to force those penalties after 21-year-old James was sent off late in the second half for stepping on the back of Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie, an act for which she later apologised.

The red-card incident triggered an automatic one-match ban which was extended to two games on Thursday night by FIFA’s disciplinary committee, a decision which would make the Chelsea prodigy available for a potential England final on August 20.

Wiegman confirmed the other 22 members of her squad are fit to play against Colombia, who boast their own youthful weapon in Real Madrid’s 18-year-old forward Linda Caicedo.