The Club confirmed earlier this week that Houghton had undergone surgery on the injury which had side-lined her since our 1-1 league draw with Arsenal last month.
And, speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup fifth round trip to Manchester United, Taylor provided a further update on Houghton’s injury as well as her potential timeframe for recovery with England hosting the European Championships this summer.
“I think it was something that needed to happen. Unfortunately, Steph had got herself to a position where she didn’t feel right,” Taylor revealed.
“I thought that when she came back in the New Year from the same injury, she was looking really good but was having real discomfort before and after. When she was out on the pitch, she was fine but it was around that.
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“Steph is a warrior, the way she has handled it. We have spoken to her post op, but as for timescale we don’t know.
“I have been in contact with Sarina (England head coach Sarina Wiegman). It is looking really unlikely that we will see her before the end of the season.
“But knowing Steph I wouldn’t be surprised if she was back before people would expect.
“We’ll just have to see.”
On the positive front, the boss also revealed that the City squad had reconvened from the latest international break in good shape ahead of the trip to tackle United for what will be a second derby encounter in a fortnight.
Prior to the latest international break, City had taken the Manchester bragging rights with a 1-0 win at the Academy Stadium in an FA Women’s Super League clash played out in front of a record sell-out crowd thanks to Caroline Weir’s wonder goal
And asked how the squad were looking after flying back to Manchester from various ports of call around Europe and beyond, Taylor painted a positive picture.
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“(The squad is) Good. We managed to get some time on pitch today,” the manager added.
“We spoke to the players, and they have been at a lot of different types of setups around the world including Portugal and Spain. A lot (has been) going on.
“Everyone has come back looking good, looking fresh and it is about realigning ourselves to what we do.
“You never have too much time after the international break, but it is good to see each other again.”
The City manager also provided a positive update on the recovery and rehabilitation of Chloe Kelly who has been sidelined since last May with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Taylor revealed that Kelly, who signed a new three-year contract earlier this month, is continuing to make excellent progress as continues on the comeback trail.
“Chloe is doing well. She was one who was a priority and high focus for us in the international break,” Taylor added.
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“We looked to get up her training minutes and she’s looking good.
“The tendency is to push her, but we are cautious because of the type of injury she had. There is a high chance of reinjury.
“We need to make sure she is strong - both physically and mentally. She has looked really sharp and great in that respect.
“When you think about Chloe, whenever she does return, what a player to bring back.
“She has been a big loss, similar to others we have lost this season, but to lose a player who set the WSL alight last season, has been difficult.
“We are looking forward to getting her back.”
