Both Arsenal and Manchester United are juggling fitness issues as preparations get underway for this weekend's round of Women's Super League fixtures.
Arsenal have provided an update on both Leah Williamson and Vivianne Miedema, while Man Utd boss Marc Skinner has addressed Aoife Mannion's progress as she continues to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Arsenal face United this Saturday at the Emirates in an all-important top-of-the-table clash, but both teams will still be without some key names.
Jonas Eidevall confirmed back in October that Williamson was expected to be sidelined for several weeks with a foot injury sustained in training. The 25-year-old missed the last two international breaks, including some big games against the likes of the USA and Japan.
Williamson has made a positive step in her recovery as the club shared photographs of the defender back on the Colney training pitch on Thursday afternoon. Arsenal confirmed she was back out on the grass and running as she continues to build towards full fitness.
In another positive update, Miedema was also pictured in training after she was granted some time off earlier this month and missed the win over Leicester prior to the international break. Arsenal confirmed at the time she was set to return after the break having been allowed to rest and recharge.
From a United perspective, Skinner issued an update on the progress of Mannion, who has been sidelined since January with an ACL injury. The United boss confirmed she had been training, but won't be available for selection until the new year.
He told the media on Thursday: “Since they’ve come back in (from the international break), there’s been no absentees. Even Aoife’s been training, so we have a full squad to pick from.
"Aoife still won’t be ready (to play until) after Christmas, I imagine, but she’s progressing nicely, she’s in training with the team, albeit modified slightly. But yeah, she’s progressing nicely so, hopefully, after Christmas (she’ll be back)."
United's squad reconvened in full on Thursday following the international break as they step up their preparations for the weekend's meeting with Arsenal. With only two training sessions before the game, Skinner confirmed some players will undergo full training, while others will be modified.
