For City, the Blues were boosted by the return of the WSL’s all-time top goalscorer to their ranks last time out, with Vivianne Miedema netting in her first appearance since October, during Sunday’s 3-0 victory at home to Ipswich Town.
Recent injury absentees Lauren Hemp, Tara O’Hanlon, Khadija Shaw and Risa Shimizu were all missing for the cup win but did travel to Abu Dhabi for a recent warm-weather camp and, speaking last week, head coach Gareth Taylor seemed particularly hopeful that primary goal-getter Shaw would be able to return soon, saying: “’Bunny’ was with us last week, she was training separately. From what I saw, she looks really good. Hopefully, she can be back sooner rather than later.”
The home side look set to be without their captain and former United defender Alex Greenwood however, after she underwent successful surgery on a knee injury in December.
