Manchester City return to action when they face West Ham in the Women’s Super League on Sunday evening and goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck is keen to get back into the swing of things.

The winter break means Roebuck has not played a competitive match since the draw against Manchester United just over a month ago, but she believes everyone welcomed the chance to take a breather and refocus:

“The Christmas break was really nice. It was good to switch off because everyone who went to the Euros had quite a long summer. It was good to finally have a rest. But everyone has come back into training in really good shape and is ready to crack on. It is nice we’ve had the chance to build back-in over the last few weeks and pick up where we left off.”

“Now we’re raring to go and keen to get that first game [against West Ham] back under our belts. We’ve had a good few weeks now back on the ball and getting a feel for it again. But I never go long without touching the ball anyway. Even over Christmas I was still playing football in the garden, like a big kid!”

“The last game, the Manchester derby, seems a million years ago now, and the first few sessions back were tricky. But I’m excited for a game now, it’s going to be a good one and a tough challenge for us, I’m sure.”

City are nine points off league leaders Chelsea heading into this weekend’s round of fixtures, but Gareth Taylor’s side do have two games in hand.

Getting off to a positive start after such a long break is key so the Citizens can build up the momentum they need for a sustained title challenge.

Having Roebuck in goal will, of course, aid their chances hugely. The 23-year-old has begun to establish herself at international level with England, and she is undoubtedly up there with the very best shot-stoppers in the country.