Chloe Kelly's reaction to Lionesses' squad omission and impact at Arsenal after striking loan deal and potential date of second Gunners debut revealed

Kelly hasn't played football since January 12, despite securing a loan move from Manchester City to Arsenal on deadline day of the January transfer window. That's because the Gunners' two games following the deal were both against City and their third was in the FA Cup, for which she is cup-tied. Those unfortunate circumstances ultimately cost Kelly earlier this week though, when she was left out of the England squad due to a lack of minutes.

However, Kelly could finally return to action this weekend, with her eligible for Arsenal's Women's Super League clash with north London rivals Tottenham. She is familiar with the fixture, having scored in it as a teenager after breaking into the Gunners' first-team as a promising academy product, and could be about to grace it again - though head coach Renee Slegers was coy on what role the winger could play.

"She's settled very well and obviously she knows what Arsenal is, she comes from the club, so we're happy she's back," Slegers said in her pre-match press conference on Friday. "What she's bringing to us is obviously her qualities as an attacking player but what she's also shown is her willingness to defend and be aggressive and work hard, and I think she lifts our training environment as well. We're very happy with Chloe. We hope she's available for Sunday. We know what she can do for us. I look forward to her first minutes for Arsenal and we'll see when that is."

Asked if her absence from the England squad could actually be beneficial, by allowing the 27-year-old that little extra time to settle in her new surroundings, Slegers said: "We want the best for Chloe. I've spoken to Chloe and she's said that she accepts situations as they are. She's just really happy she's with us at the moment and she wants to take every opportunity, wherever it is, in training or match environment, to try and push herself and find the next level and get her rhythm in playing minutes again."

As for whether this loan spell can get Kelly back into the Lionesses' squad ahead of this summer's European Championship, Slegers was keen to point out that she "can't control" such a thing, but added: "Chloe's with us and we want to make her time at Arsenal the best. We want to support her and and drive her forwards. She's very keen to find her next level and get the rhythm of training and playing, so I think that's all we can focus on and that's what we do at Arsenal with her. Of course, players have ambitions to play on a high level for the club, but also for the national teams, but that's that's not something that's in my control. I'll do everything I can to help Chloe at Arsenal."

Kelly could be back in Arsenal colours as they welcome Tottenham to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, in what will be the Gunners' final fixture before the upcoming international break. In that, England will face Portugal and Spain, albeit without Kelly.