Gareth Taylor is close to being able to pick from a full-strength squad ahead of the Women’s Super League top-of-the-table clash with Leicester.

Only Demi Stokes will be unavailable for the game at the King Power Stadium on Saturday at 17:15 (UK) with the boss hoping she will be able to return after the upcoming international break.

Lauren Hemp was nursing a slight shoulder injury from the 1-1 draw with Chelsea but Taylor confirmed she is part of the squad preparing to face the Foxes.

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“[Lauren] is fine. She trained this week and she is available for the weekend,” he said in his pre-match news conference.

“The only player not available is Demi but we have had her on pitch this week. We’re hoping for full integration after the international break.

“Outside of Demi, everyone is fit and available.”

LEICESTER V CITY | MATCH PREVIEW

Leila Ouahabi is also back in the squad after serving her suspension following her red card against West Ham United.

City sit top of the WSL going into the match with the Foxes in second place only on goal difference.

After beating Bristol City and Everton in their opening two matches, they picked up a point away to Manchester United.

Leicester finished last season in 12th but Taylor has been impressed with the progress, and particularly after manager Willie Kirk took charge.

“I’m not surprised,” Taylor said. “I saw signs of this team performing the way they are performing last season. I saw a change.

“We played them early and then in the cup then Willy took over. He put energy and quality in the team and they’re a force to be reckoned with at the moment.

“We’re pleased to be top of the league but we don’t see it as a short term thing. We want to be there and go into the international break still in that same position.”

CITY+ | WATCH ‘RISE: THE STORY OF OUR SEASON’

A CITY+ subscription doesn’t just provide you with a live stream of Wednesday’s clash.

Indeed, ‘Rise: The Story of our Season’ is now available to watch on the platform, which charts the progress of Manchester City Women across the 2022/23 campaign.

Records were broken, reputations were forged, and an exciting young squad showed they could go toe-to-toe with the best that England has to offer.

Our cameras were there every step of the way, capturing the thrills and spills of a compelling WSL title race which went down to the wire.

SUBSCRIBE TO CITY+ TO WATCH ‘RISE’

With candid reflections from players and coaches alike, ‘Rise’ provides a window into the personalities behind the stars you’ve seen on the pitch, while also nodding towards what should be another enthralling campaign.

CITY+ is available via an annual subscription of £34.99 a year, saving you £24 on our monthly offering.

Choose monthly and pay £4.99 a month with the option to cancel anytime.

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