Lionesses goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck explains how suffering stroke has 'changed her perception' as Man City star reveals England return ambition

The City stopper revealed last month that she had suffered a left occipital infarct, a type of stroke, after nearly a year without playing. The 24-year-old said in a social media post that she was on the "road to recovery" and now the Lionesses ace has lifted the lid on how her perspective has changed and her goals to play for England once again.

She told The Mirror: “It’s [the stroke] changed my perception a lot. It's given me time to value various different things. As a footballer, you live at a million miles per hour. You don't really have the time to think about these things.”

On her England ambitions, she added: "That's a huge target. Not just because of the status of being in the England squad, but it's something that I love. I love being with the girls. I love that team environment and the way that we've hopefully changed the perception of women's football. I would love to continue to be a part of that and help grow the women's game.”

Roebuck, who earned the last of her England caps in 2023, revealed there was no lasting damage to her brain or vision following the stroke. Now, the former Sheffield United academy product will be given all the time she needs to get herself back fit and ready to return to the sport she loves.

Roebuck, who hasn't played for City since last May when she was sent off against Manchester United, is out of contract this summer. After transfer interest from Barcelona in January, it remains to be seen where her future lies.