Manchester City women manager Nick Cushing was in a positive mood ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Womens Champions League quarter final first leg clash with Swedish side Linkopings.
Cushing confirmed that everybody that was available for Sundays postponed match against Sunderland are still available but says captain Steph Houghton may feature “Steph will play tomorrow if she can get back to full fitness we are trying are best, but we will talk with the coaches and the medical staff tomorrow before making a final decision”.
Izzy Christiansen is also a notable absence for the Blues due to suspension however Cushing says, “We have strength in depth, so we will find a solution”.
After losing the Continental cup final last week to Arsenal Cushing said, “Winning and losing is part of football we aren’t used to losing but the players want games now to prove that was only a minor blip and show that we can improve on the last four weeks where the level of performances we’ve shown has not been great”.
Cushing however was not happy with the fixture schedule saying, “The objective Is to be the best team in Europe maybe the world I don’t think with playing every three days we aren’t given the chance to play the best football”.
Cushing also praised his sides younger players “we are very happy to have young British players at the club such as Ellie Roebuck,Ella Toone,Kiera Walsh etc and we were delighted that they are in around the England squad with Kiera travelling to the SheBelives cup”.
The Manchester City manager also says that the team has progressed from last seasons Champions League semi final saying “We have become more adaptable I believe we would beat anybody”.
Linkopings arrive in Manchester with former City player Kosovare Asllani and former Liverpool striker Natastha Harding in their ranks and City striker Kiera Walsh says, “It will be great to play against Kosovare she was a great player here she always steps up for the big games we all know she is dangerous”.
