Defender set for return from injury as Man City look to further title chase with win over Spurs

Defender Esme Morgan is set to return for Manchester City's Women's Super League clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon, but manager Gareth Taylor stated that neither Hayley Raso, Demi Stokes nor Alanna Kennedy will be available for selection due to their respective injuries.

City host Tottenham Hotspur with Taylor's side keen to bolster their chances of top-three contention in the Women’s Super League.

The Citizens leapfrogged Arsenal into third place with a three-point cushion before the International break after an intense 2-1 win.

They come into Sunday’s game with momentum after an 8-1 thrashing of Championship side Bristol City at the weekend, abruptly ending the second-tier side's Vitality Women’s FA Cup run at the fifth round. Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw was on fire again, putting four past the Robins, before Filippa Angeldahl, Julie Blakstad and Jemima Dahou also found themselves on the score sheet.

And as an added boost to to his ranks as the season crests into its most exacting stages, Taylor revealed Morgan, who had been ruled out since January's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa due to an Achilles issue, and fellow defender Kerstin Casparij will be in contention for Sunday's match, though injuries and illness elsewhere will keep him from relishing a full squad.

“Pushing on from the FA Cup at Bristol [last weekend], we’ve got Esme [Morgan] back into the frame,” Taylor explained on Friday.

“Demi [Stokes] is a little further down the line. We’ve had a little bit of illness but only with players missing the odd day.

“At this moment in time, Kerstin Casparij is back in contention. I think that’s it, pretty much.

“It’s probably only Alanna [Kennedy] and Hayley [Raso] who are just not quite there at the moment,