Lauren Hemp nears Man City injury return | OneFootball

Manchester City star Lauren Hemp is closing in on a return to action after undergoing surgery in November.

The 24-year-old has been sidelined since City’s Women’s Super League (WSL) win over Tottenham Hotspur, where her three assists helped secure a 4-0 triumph at the Etihad Stadium. Soon after, the club confirmed she had undergone successful knee surgery and was set to begin her rehabilitation.

A month later, defender Alex Greenwood also underwent surgery on a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury. While there were initial concerns that the 31-year-old could be a doubt for the UEFA Women’s Euro this summer, it has since been confirmed she too is edging closer to a return.

Speaking ahead of City’s 4-0 win against Liverpool over the weekend, Gareth Taylor provided a promising update on both players. He revealed they could be back in action after the international break, though Hemp is slightly further ahead in her recovery.

"Hopefully when the next window comes [after the international break] they can start to see those players coming back,” the manager said in a press conference last week. “They are on the grass at the moment, not training with the team, more in isolation.

“Lauren is probably a little bit further ahead than Alex. She was back on pitch last week, Alex had her first on-pitch session today in isolation away from the team. Hopefully when they return to us we're still in a good place in all competitions.

"They're so determined to be there for the team and pushing the medical department massively on what the expectations are and the data that's been set. I've heard they're [Lauren and Alex] talking it up a bit about making it sooner, which we'd love because it tells us they really care and want to be there for the team."

Neither Hemp nor Greenwood were included in the England squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Spain and Portugal over the next two weeks. City return to action after the break with a trip to Tottenham in the WSL on March 2.

That same month, Taylor’s side will contest an FA Cup quarter-final against Aston Villa, as well as a Champions League quarter-final and League Cup final against runaway WSL leaders Chelsea. If Hemp and Greenwood return during that run, it would provide a major boost to City’s hopes of securing silverware this season.