The Jamaican striker missed Tuesday’s training session with a foot injury and will face a late fitness test for our Group B encounter against the Wildcats.
Speaking to the media ahead of the game. Gareth Taylor shared the latest team news, admitting Shaw, who bagged her fifth goal in four games in the opening Conti Cup clash against Everton, is a doubt.
However, there was brighter news that Alanna Kennedy and Ruby Mace are back in contention, having been cup-tied for Sunday’s FA Cup game against Chelsea.
On Shaw’s injury, Taylor explained: “She’s got a situation with her foot or ankle.
“She was immediately icing in the game when she came of at half-time against Chelsea.
“She came back but missed yesterday’s session and then came back today but she doesn’t look quite right and she wasn’t able to fulfil full training.
“We took the precaution but she wasn’t able to train yesterday and we’ll have to assess her tomorrow.
“We’ll give it another 24 hours but the signs didn’t’ look good when she wasn’t able to complete the warm-up.
“She could potentially feel a lot better – it was similar with Filippa Angeldahl (on Sunday). We weren’t able to use her unless it was a real emergency, as she’d suffered a dead leg, which has thankfully settled down.
“it’s a case of two back and one out… We’ve got a couple of players who are eligible back in Ruby Mace and Alanna Kennedy, who were not able to play in the FA Cup.”
Taylor also provided updates on captain Steph Houghton, Lucy Bronze and Ellie Roebuck, who are edging closer to welcome returns.
“Steph is progressing well from what I hear,” he added. “She’s moved to the next stage of her rehab and she’s due to be out on pitch soon.
“It’s the same as Lucy Bronze as well but that looks a few weeks off at the earliest.
“Ellie is three or four weeks away, without wanting to put a timeframe on it (we’ve done that previously and it hasn’t paid off).
“Hopefully, things will start to look better.”
Following Sunday’s exit from the FA Cup, City now turn their attentions to the Continental Cup as a major target for silverware.
The three-time winners face Championship leaders Durham in Matchday Two of our Northern Section Group B encounter, looking to bounce back with a positive result and move a step closer to the knock-out stages.
However, the Head Coach warned of any complacency against a side who are in fine form, having held Manchester United in 90 minutes on Matchday One, and full of confidence.
“It’s always an important competition,” Taylor continued. “We go into every competition trying to give it our very best.
“Now, it’s become more important in terms of what we want to try and achieve.
“Durham are a good team. They’ve won six of their seven games this season and they’re top of the league in Championship.
“They proved difficult opposition for United in the last round and we’re expecting the same. We need to be ready because they can pose problems.
“They have players who contribute from all over – they’re fit, physical and big in profile, and they show really good energy.
“Watching them against United, they were always in the game and the way they’ve got to the top of the league is by being really united.
“They’ve proven they’re becoming more and more established and they’ll want to get promotion. They’ve made a really good start.
“If they get into the WSL this season, they’ll have full deserved it. They’ve always been up there in the Championship for a few seasons. It’s great to see that type of team (not affiliated with a men’s side) doing well, making everyone sit up and take note of what they’re doing.
“It’s a game were looking forward to and the fact it’s at home builds us up nicely for the game (against Leicester City in the FA Women’s Super League) at the weekend.”
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