Gareth Taylor has given an update on injuries to three key players ahead of Manchester City’s derby against Manchester United this weekend.
City returned to action after the winter break last weekend with an enjoyable fourth round FA Cup win at home to Ipswich Town. Now they are getting ready for the big one WSL meeting with local rivals United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday night.
Only one point currently separates the two teams in the standings as Taylor’s side are third with 22, just behind Arsenal and United 21. Chelsea leads comfortably with 28 points.
City were dealt a significant blow to their title hopes before Christmas as they suffered their second league defeat of the season against Everton. The result was the culmination of a significant number of injuries, which saw at least four key players sidelined during that period.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s derby, Taylor confirmed that Khadija Shaw is closing in on a return to action, but the likes of Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood are still some way off.
“Alex and Lauren are in a good place,” he told the media at a press conference. “But we know that their return is not instantaneous.
“Bunny is much closer though. It’s pretty much inevitable, but we’re just trying to tick off a few flags that the medical team needs to be happy with so that we’re ready for this really busy period that we’re going into.
“This weekend will be too early, but other than that she’s getting close [being ready for] next few games.”
It’s going to be a busy week City Sunday’s derby is followed by another meeting with United in midweek, this time in the quarter-finals of the League Cup. They face Aston Villa away in the WSL next weekend and are at home to Arsenal eight days later.
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