‘Tough times don’t last, tough people do’ – Mary Earps delights in seeing fellow Lionesses goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck return to action at Barcelona 19 months after suffering a stroke

In March 2024, Roebuck revealed that she was recovering from a left occipital infarct, following a period of illness in which she had felt unwell for some time. The 24-year-old, who has 11 England caps to her name and formed part of a European Championship-winning squad in 2022, suffered no lasting damage to her brain or vision.

That has allowed her to shelve any retirement plans, with the decision taken to continue her professional career. Despite the issues that she has endured off the field, Roebuck linked up with Champions League winners Barcelona over the summer.

She had to wait until December 7 before making her debut for Barca - 19 months after her last appearance for WSL side Manchester City - but was delighted to be back on the field in a 4-1 win over Real Betis. Messages of support have flooded in for Roebuck, including from Earps who has posted on social media: “So happy for you my friend! So deserved. Tough times don’t last, tough people do.”

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Roebuck will be hoping to see more minutes in the weeks to come, while competing with Earps – who is now on the books of French giants Paris Saint-Germain – for further recognition with England heading towards another Euros in 2025.