Arsenal and England pair Beth Mead and Alessia Russo among those nominated for WSL Player of the Month

The WSL has named its six candidates for the April player of the month award and alongside forwards Russo and Mead, Tottenham attacker Bethany England, Manchester City winger Lauren Hemp, Everton defender Sara Holmgaard, and 17-year-old Aston Villa goalkeeper Sophia Poor have been nominated.

In April, Arsenal won twice and drew once, with Mead and Russo scoring four goals each. Villa keeper Poor made six saves, Everton's Holmgaard bagged an assist as they won one an drew one last month, and City's Hemp turned provider on three occasions as the WSL title hopefuls won both of their matches.

This comes just after City striker Khadija Shaw was named Women's Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association. The Jamaican international is out for the season with a foot injury but before then she scored 21 goals in 18 WSL games to put Gareth Taylor's side on the brink of the league title.

Russo and Mead's Arsenal - who sit third in the division - will take on Hemp's top of the table City on Sunday at Joie Stadium, looking to throw a spanner in the works. A win for the Gunners and a Chelsea defeat this weekend will see them rise to second in the WSL. Conversely, victory for City will put them within touching distance of the title.