Manchester City star Aoba Fujino is “likely” to be available for selection for their crucial top-of-the-table clash with WSL title rivals Chelsea on Sunday.
Andree Jeglertz’s side hold a nine-point lead at the top over Chelsea, who have beaten City in both previous meetings this season.
A win for City would almost certainly rule Chelsea out of contention to win their seventh straight title.
Aoba Fujino “likely” to return against Chelsea
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Manchester City boss Andree Jeglertz said Aoba Fujino was “training fully” ahead of their clash with Chelsea.
He said: “Aoba, she was training fully today. Let’s see the evolution of today but most likely she will be available on Sunday.
“[Squad depth]that will be crucial definitely. We talked about playing the same 11 (that beat London City Lionesses) but at the same time we need players.
“I think we are on top of substitutes coming in and scoring for us so that’s an important statistic.
“We say quite often that everybody’s important but we also do substitutions that are affecting the game. It will be even more important on Sunday that we have players who can either keep a result or chase a result.”
Fujino has six goal contributions in 10 WSL appearances this season. However, she has not featured since City’s 6-1 win over Aston Villa last month due to an injury.
Jeglertz also confirmed that City full-back Leila Ouahabi is available for the clash with Chelsea after returning to full training.
https://twitter.com/ManCityWomen/status/2017246474761855430
Manchester City hold advantage in title race
Manchester City, in their current position, almost have one hand on the WSL title, with a nine-point gap and nine games to play.
However, pundits, including Jen Beattie, have claimed that Chelsea are still in the title race.
Chelsea can take some motivational advantages going into Sunday’s clash, including the fact that they are the only team to beat City this season.
City have a poor record against Chelsea, with just one win from their last 10 meetings. That win came in the first-leg of the Champions League quarter-final last season, where Chelsea ultimately knocked City out.
Earlier in the week, Bunny Shaw said she was “looking forward” to the challenge of beating Chelsea.
She said: “Football is about challenge. You want to feel comfortable being uncomfortable in order for you to get better and that’s something that I’ve always tried to do.
“I think coming up against some of the best players, it’s what you want because if you can show your talent that way.
“It’s the best way to show it, so it will be a challenge but it’s definitely one I’m looking forward to.”
