Nick Cushing has called for his players to embrace and attack the challenge ahead of us as City prepare for Saturday’s League Cup final against Chelsea.

The Blues lock horns with Sonia Bompastor’s side at Pride Park on Saturday 15 March, with kick-off set for 12:15 (UK).

It represents Cushing’s first match as Interim Head Coach after he returned to the Joie Stadium after the Club parted ways with Gareth Taylor earlier this week.

He admits facing Chelsea four times in 12 days across three separate competitions is a sizeable challenge, but also one the team must meet head on and enjoy.

Cushing said: “It’s definitely not (an easy task) but if I reflect on my career, in 2014 when I took the women’s team in the WSL our first game was against Liverpool, the champions, live on BT Sport, and I’d come from the Under-12 boys.

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“I then went to New York and we won the championship in 2021 then suddenly head coach in 2022 of the champions.

“I think I’ve been able to take these moments in my stride and had some great mentors and advice in my time.

“I had some right before this press conference which was just to go enjoy it. It’s a great challenge.

“As coaches, we want to create and prepare our teams to go against the best, the next four games are the ultimate challenge for our group so we’ve got to go and embrace it attack it.”