After suffering the setback in May 2021, Kelly’s chances of making Sarina Wiegman’s squad looked in doubt. However, the City forward was called up and has played in both of the Lionesses’ opening games of the tournament.
Looking back on her recovery period, Kelly ran through her mindset at the time, revealing she remained focused on her ultimate goal of featuring in the summer tournament on home soil.
GET YOUR MAN CITY WOMEN SEASON TICKET
She said: “It was tough but I knew that what I was putting into the recovery, that I would see benefits from it. I always had my goal on the Euros, so that would get you through each day.
“Now I’m here, you look back and that seems like so long ago, that you were having those difficult conversations maybe, where you feel ready and you’re not able to push on in your rehab.
“Those are the difficult times during that spell, but when you’re back on the pitch, you forget all that and you just appreciate being back on the pitch a little bit more.”
Kelly also opened up about the lowest points of her rehabilitation. “The very start and the very end,” she admitted.
“The start was the toughest because you know what’s ahead and the pain you are in obviously after the surgery. You lose everything, like just being able to walk, to go to the toilet by yourself, things like that. It’s not nice.
“But then the end is where you feel ready, but then you are not quite ready. So, you are training with the team but can’t play. Those two moments are the most difficult. Throughout the rest of it you see improvements every day.”
The 24-year-old has played her part from the bench in England’s two victories so far and may make her first start of the tournament on Friday evening against Northern Ireland.
Ahead of the Lionesses’ final game of the group stage, Kelly spoke of the level of competition across the squad, adding: “It’s very competitive in training, which is bringing out the best in every individual, which is great going into every game.
“I think the players off the bench are working just as hard. We’re working in training and we were straight back onto the training pitch working hard and I think the competitive side of it is brilliant so we’ll be ready for each moment that we get.
“We’ll trust all the players on the pitch, really backing them and we help the players that are on the pitch and ask how we can help them be at their best.”
Kelly’s comeback and inclusion in the Lionesses squad is inspirational and the City forward will be keen to continue her positive impact on the team heading into the knockout rounds of Women’s Euro 2022.
Jack Johnson is a Football Journalism student at the University of Derby who are reporting on the Women’s Euros.
Watch City’s European stars in action at the Academy Stadium next season. Find out more.
