Women’s Super League: Toni Duggan has no regrets about Everton return

Toni Duggan has stressed she has no regrets about rejoining Everton and her optimism for better times ahead.

The former Manchester City, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid forward returned to her first club last summer amid talk of the Toffees’ potential to push for a top-three finish in the forthcoming Women’s Super League season.

The campaign that has followed has seen them endure struggles that have led to two managers – Willie Kirk and Jean-Luc Vasseur – departing and they currently lie ninth in the table with 17 points from 16 games.

Duggan said: “I wouldn’t say I have any regrets. I wanted to come back and I wanted to help the club.

“The fact we’re in a worse position makes me more motivated. I want this club to do well. I’ve been at the club when we were in the Champions League and that’s where I believe this team can get to.”

The 30-year-old, on a contract to 2023, added: “This is home, I want to be here and I want to help the club. However long they want me, I’ll be here.”

Everton, working under interim boss Chris Roberts since Vasseur left at the start of last month, on Wednesday make a WSL trip to City, who defeated them 4-0 at the Academy Stadium in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

The fact we're in a worse position makes me more motivated. I want this club to do well. I've been at the club when we were in the Champions League and that's where I believe this team can get to.

They lost 3-0 at home to Chelsea four days earlier, but prior to that the Merseysiders had been on a three-game winning run in all competitions, beating Charlton, Aston Villa and Leicester.

Duggan said: “It’s disappointing to be out of the cup, but we’ll review it and hopefully put matters right for Wednesday.

“It’s been a tough ride (this