Sigsworth Edging Towards Selection, Kirk Reveals

- Willie Kirk provides a squad update ahead of LCFC Women's match against Aston Villa
- Jess Sigsworth is back training with the first team and could return soon
- Shannon O'Brien and Abbie McManus hope to return by the end of 2022/23

As Leicester prepare for a Barclays Women's Super League fixture against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon (2pm BST kick-off), manager Kirk revealed to the media that a number of long-term absentees could get back on the pitch before the final day.

Forward Sigsworth has not played for the Club since suffering a cruciate ligament injury in February 2022, but is now edging closer to being available for selection again. 

"You'll see three players back again this season," the manager stated in Thursday's pre-match press conference. "Jess [Sigsworth] is doing well and is on the grass, she had a slight set back but is now back with the squad which is really positive for us. She was more worried about a training goal yesterday that was disallowed rather than her knee!"

As well as the return of City's No.9, the 44-year-old shared an update with the media on the progress of forward O'Brien and defender McManus, who suffered injury at Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground, when the Foxes defeated Sunderland in the Continental Tyres League Cup back in January. 

He added: "McManus and O'Brien will hopefully be back by the end of the season, and we're looking forward to having those options, both within the starting XI and coming off the bench as we approach the campaign coming to a close."