Jordan Nobbs hopes to return to international action following three-month injury lay-off in England friendly with Sweden at Hartlepool’s Victoria Park.
By Gazette Live (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
Returning to her north-east roots will be something of a family affair for England midfielder Jordan Nobbs as she prepares to follow in her father’s footsteps.
The Stockton-born star, who now plies her trade with women’s football giants Arsenal Ladies, hopes to return to international action following a three-month injury lay-off in England’s upcoming friendly with Sweden at Hartlepool United’s Victoria Park.
After joining Norton and Stockton Football Club as a youngster oozing with potential, Nobbs burst through the ranks at Sunderland Ladies and earned a big move to the capital in 2010.
Now preparing to walk out onto the same pitch where her father, Keith, made more than 300 appearances between 1985 and 1995, Nobbs admitted pulling on the Three Lions shirt at Pools’ home ground will be among her proudest moments.
The 21-year-old said: “When I was a kid I was always watching football at Hartlepool especially with my dad having played there, so it’s great to be back in the north-east.
“I was unfortunate not to have actually seen my dad play but sharing the memory of playing on the same pitch as him will be incredibly inspirational. It’s great to be home.
“My dad has been invaluable throughout my career. There’s nothing more important than your family’s opinions and with him having played the game I listen to everything he says.
“It can only make you a better player when you have that constructive criticism. He’s been a massive part in my development and has always believed in me.”
Nobbs made her senior England bow last year in the Cyprus Cup and hit a 20-yard screamer in her side’s 4-2 win over Italy.
Since then she’s gone on to earn 11 caps for her country, scoring three times, and has become a key figure in the Gunners team.
But it’s not been all plain sailing for the Teesside star.
Nobbs has been on the treatment table since April after suffering a fracture in her back and was forced to watch her Arsenal teammates endure a difficult start to their Women’s Super League campaign, losing three out of their opening four matches in May.
“Being injured has been really frustrating”, Nobbs said. “However, I suppose I’ve been quite lucky not to have had a serious injury before and this was my first long period away from football.
“Coping with being on the sidelines was tough but now I’m back, I’m fit, and hope to play a part in the upcoming England games.”
England will pit their wits against European heavyweights Sweden, ranked fifth in the FIFA world rankings, ahead of a vital World Cup qualifier in Wales next month.
A point at the Cardiff City Stadium would be enough for Mark Sampson’s team to qualify for the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada.
Jordan admits it will be a good test against the team ranked 5th in the World.
“It will be massive to play such a top team at local ground will be huge for us. It’s definitely a huge highlight for me as a player and I’m sure that all the northern girls will have their families there as well.”
“Sweden are one of the best teams in the world and with us not playing up here in a long time then it will be great for the everyone to watch. It will be massive for us.”
“Wales are probably one of the best teams in our group and it will definitely be a tough test and we can’t afford to take our foot off the pedal. We want to finish top of the group and win all of our games. We will be going out for the win.”
Jordan spent time at Norton and Stockton Ancients and had this to say about the Premier Northern Division side.
“I spent two seasons at the team and every club I’ve been at has played a major part in getting to where I am. I remember playing against Lucy Bronze who’s also in the squad and Lucy Staniforth who played for Blyth at the time”
“The amount of Northern players that have reached the high level shows how much is going on around the north east. Our game can only encourage more young girls to start to be a part of that
Pools legend and proud dad Keith admitted it is no surprise that Jordan has become an international star.
“It will be a very proud moment to see Jordan walk out at Victoria Park”, he said. “I spent eight years here and all our family and friends will come down for the game.
“I always knew from a very early age that she had outstanding potential, and it’s nice to see all that hard work now paying off. Even when she was playing in the local leagues as an eight-year-old, she’s always had that ambition to play for England and to have now achieved that is fantastic.”
England’s clash with Sweden will be held at Victoria Park on Sunday, August 3 from 2pm.
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