Leah Williamson is set to make her long-awaited return this evening when Arsenal face FC Twente in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, with the England captain expected to be handed her first minutes of the campaign after months on the sidelines.
The 28-year-old has not featured since lifting the European Championship trophy with the Lionesses in the summer, after which she underwent knee surgery that ruled her out of the opening months of the season.
Her absence has been carefully managed by Renée Slegers, who has resisted the temptation to rush one of her most influential players back into competitive action.
Williamson was included among the substitutes for the weekend’s 2-1 Barclays Women’s Super League win over Liverpool but remained on the bench.
Slegers confirmed on the eve of the tie that Williamson will be involved in some capacity, while making clear that expectations around her involvement must remain realistic.
“Against Liverpool it was good to get her back into routines and also good to have her around,” Slegers said.
“She is doing well, did the full session today again and she’s available for a couple of minutes tomorrow. She won’t be starting tomorrow but she’ll be in the squad.”