Hard recovery work has paid off, says Hemp | OneFootball

Lauren Hemp says the ‘gruelling’ recovery sessions from an ankle injury were worthwhile now she’s back among her City and England teammates.

Women's Team

Women’s international break: Who’s playing and when?

After returning to the field in November, the skilful winger was one of four members of Andrée Jeglertz’s side to be included in the Lionesses’ squad for upcoming friendlies with China and Ghana.

The 25-year-old’s second-half appearance in our 2-1 win over Everton signalled a return to the field in seven matches after suffering the knee issue in our victory over Spurs on 21 September.

Following her outing at Goodison Park, she then started each of our next two matches as we triumphed over Manchester United and Nottingham Forest with Hemp netting in both.

BUY HOME WSL TICKETS HERE 

And the England international is hoping to build back to her best throughout the rest of the season.

“I’m not going to lie it was really frustrating [to be injured],” she said during England’s Tuesday press conference.

“It was around this time last year where I had my first knee injury and then I tried my hardest to get back fit for the Euros which I did.

Women's Team

Etihad Player of the Month: November’s nominees

“I had that crazy couple of months at the Euros and I was hoping then when the season started to get back a bit of consistency and unfortunately that wasn’t to be as I was out with my ankle.

“The thing for me which I want to focus on is being back fit and getting that consistency back in my game. Building up my minutes slowly and getting back into form which I was pre-Euros and pre-knee injury.

“It’s so nice to be back fit for a couple of club games before coming back on camp. It’s been great to be back in the team environment.

“As players it’s the hardest thing being injured and it’s very gruelling gym sessions, but it’s all worth it when you get back fit and playing and then back wearing the England badge and playing in the set-up again.”

SIGN IN FOR FREE ACCESS

Sign in to watch

Don’t have an account? Register now

Women's Team

City to face West Ham in League Cup quarter-finals

Ahead of the international break, City extended our winning Barclays Women’s Super League streak to eight straight matches with successes over West Ham, Everton and Manchester United.

It means we currently sit at the division’s summit on 24 points, three clear of second-place Chelsea after nine top-flight games.

For Hemp, she’s been delighted to see the progress of the Blues and she stated her desire to help the team maintain our momentum.

She added: “I always put pressure on myself to do well and I just assume, even though I’ve been out for two months, I’ll be back playing at my best again.

“I feel like that’s a standard I set on myself and I always want to strive for. I tried to make sure I was back fit for the derby game [against Manchester United], because naturally at the start of the season when you look at fixtures they’re the type you see and want to be involved in.

“To be able to be back for that, everyone was up for it. Us as a squad at City we’re doing really well at the moment and I wanted to come back and help the team as much as I can because they’ve been doing so well so far.

“It’s important we get the player back fit we continue to do so and put ourselves in the best possible position to win trophies this season because I’m fed up of not.”