Huge boost for Man City as Jill Roord returns to squad after eight months out with ACL injury

Roord picked up the injury in City’s Conti Cup group stage victory over Manchester United back in January. And after a long road to recovery, she was finally cleared to join her team-mates in training in September.

While she is still not ready to play a part in the upcoming Champions League qualifier against Paris FC, City manager Gareth Taylor has confirmed that Roord is expected to be named in the squad for this weekend's Women's Super League (WSL) clash against Brighton.

Speaking to reporters, Taylor informed: "[Roord is] closer. This weekend is where you’ll see Jill back in the squad. That was always our plan over the last few weeks, but she’s in full training. She’s really performing to a high level.

“The natural inclination is to get her involved sooner if we can. As coaches, we always push that and have good conversations with the medical team. They’ve done an excellent job. The way Jill has embraced her plan has been top. Even to get her back for Brighton on Sunday for some period of the game is a testament to her and all of the medical team here.”

Roord’s absence was felt throughout the latter half of City’s 2023-24 campaign. Before her injury, she had made an immediate impact after joining the club from Wolfsburg, scoring six goals and providing two assists in just 11 WSL appearances. In her absence, the team relied on young talents like Jess Park to fill the gap.

City hold a comfortable 5-0 lead from the first leg against Paris FC and are primed to secure a berth in the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage. They will be boosted with the return of Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, while defender Leila Ouahabi, who has a groin discomfort, must pass a late fitness test to be named in the matchday squad.