Manchester City skipper Steph Houghton had a difficult 2022 plagued with an Achilles injury that saw her miss out on the home Euros’ action.
The former England Lioness captain also passed her armband to Leah Williamson as injury kept her out of the final squad selection for the summer tournament but she has ferociously fought her way back into the City set-up as they compete for the top three spots in the Women’s Super League.
Houghton has now opened up on the difficult year she had – and what she's learnt from it. She told Manchester City Media : “For me in general, I think overcoming all the adversity, it's been tough, and I think I've had to really show some mental resilience and I've had some great people around us that has helped us do that.
“So, I think obviously people think that when you're in football it's all good and it's all positive, but there's a lot of things that go on that people don't see.
“So, I'm grateful to have those people around me, and I'm grateful for the Club and for the support. Long may that continue.”
A mental readiness to hit the remainder of this campaign at full throttle, Houghton added her personal aims for 2023: “Probably not to worry as much. I think I'm a bit of a worrier, and when you are a captain of a team and you want the environment to be really good, I think there's so many things you can only control.
“I think as I've got a little bit older and experienced, you learn to put your energy into certain things, rather than try and spread yourself thin.
“Most importantly is just to enjoy playing my football. I think I don't want to be stuck in the gym. I don't want to be doing rehab.
“I want to be on the pitch, and I want to be in and around the team. I feel as well from pre-season onwards I've been doing that. So hopefully more of that.”
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