Ella TooneGetty Images
Ameé Ruszkai10 Jan 2025E. TooneManchester United WomenFA CupWSLWOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Ella Toone is back! Lionesses star in line to return from two-month injury lay-off as Man Utd begin Women's FA Cup title defence

Lionesses star Ella Toone could make her return from a two-month injury lay-off this weekend, as Man Utd kickstart their Women's FA Cup title defence.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Toone sidelined for last two months with injury
  • Missed final eight games of 2024 for Man Utd & England
  • But Lionesses star could make her return this weekend
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Toone has been out of action since mid-November due to a calf problem, one which ruled her out of Manchester United's final six games of 2024 and England's last two fixtures of the calendar year, too.

  • Getty Images

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    However, head coach Marc Skinner has revealed that the creative midfielder could be in line for a return on Saturday, when Man Utd take on third-tier West Brom in the FA Cup fourth round. It'd be a timely comeback, as the Red Devils have some huge games on the horizon.

  • WHAT SKINNER SAID

    Speaking in his press conference on Friday, Skinner said: "Ella Toone is back and hopefully in the squad, she will hopefully play some part against West Brom. We are looking at that obviously with the games coming up as well. Probably (playing) around half an hour, I think is probably sensible. The competitive chaos nature of a game that you can’t control a little bit more fatigues mentally. So you make different decisions. But she trained yesterday with the team, working on the shape, and she was really sharp. So hopefully we can get her into the game and introduce her after the long time she’s had out."

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Getting some minutes in Toone's legs in a game United are expected to win comfortably would be wise, given what lies ahead. On January 19, the Red Devils will make the short journey to the Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City, as the Women's Super League returns from its winter break. Then, just three days later, United will host their crosstown rivals in the League Cup quarter-finals.

  • Getty Images

    WHAT NEXT FOR TOONE AND MAN UTD?

    United currently sit fourth in the WSL standings, outside the Champions League places on goal difference. They'll hope that Toone's return can help boost their chances of breaking into those European places before the season is out, with success also still on the cards in both domestic cup competitions.