Gareth Taylor says Ellie Roebuck is back in contention for Saturday’s Women’s FA Cup trip to Nottingham Forest.

The goalkeeper is yet to feature in the 2021/22 campaign, having suffered a lengthy calf injury after the Summer Olympics.

The shot-stopper returned to training this week and speaking to the press ahead of the game, Taylor revealed the 22-year-old is set to feature at the City Ground.

The Head Coach also admitted he could rotate the squad with some Academy stars set to travel for the Fourth Round clash with a heavy run of fixtures ahead, including Thursday night’s Continental Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur and next weekend’s crunch league visit to Chelsea.

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“Ellie is back in contention,” he said. “She is back travelling so we will take the next 24 hours and see how she checks in. She trained with us earlier today in the practice.

“We have a couple of niggles and we have obviously got a tight turnaround between next Thursday and Sunday but the players and staff have managed that really well. 

“We have drafted a couple of players from the Academy, who have trained with us today. It’s good experience for them and helps us with the niggles in the squad.”

This week saw Taylor bolster his side further with the signing of Norwegian international Julie Blakstad.

Although Saturday’s cup tie comes too soon for the 20-year-old, the Head Coach says she will be ready to play in midweek if selected.

“She’s a really good young player, a top player for Norway and a player we had eye on for a while.” he said.

“She is an attacking player with good physical qualities, a real hammer of a left foot and able to score goals. She gives good options on the left.

“In terms of where she is at, she was into the first couple of weeks of pre-season at her previous club so we just make sure how she checks in.

“She is back in Norway at the moment. We just have to wait for the work permit but she will be ready to train with us next week and is a potential for Spurs on Thursday.”

This weekend’s fixture sees Taylor return to his old stomping ground, having plied his trade at Nottingham Forest between 2003 and 2006.

With Forest’s efforts to grow the women’s game, the clash against the Women’s National League North outfit will be played at the men’s City Ground and Taylor is excited for the occasion.

“It will be a great moment for me,” he added. “I have been back on a few occasions as a player since I left and a couple of times to go and watch games as supporters of the club.

“To go back as a coach will be a nice moment and something I am looking forward to.

“Forest seem like they are moving in the right direction. They have a good coach in Andy Cook, who I know, and their recent results have been positive.

“It is always really difficult when you start from a base level, but one of the most impressive things I see teams do, like what Forest are trying to do, is to make it a club thing to drive women’s football.

“We are really fortunate here that it is embraced by the club and Forest are moving in the right direction on that front.

“It’s big [that the game is being played at the City Ground]. It makes a statement. Hopefully, we can get a decent crowd tomorrow.

“Especially because it is the FA Cup, you have the romance of it, with a team that’s expected to win and the underdog.

“It is nice to see people still cherish the FA Cup. It is a special competition. I have played in games where you are the underdog or heavy favourite.

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“I certainly cherish it as my first trophy [I won as Head Coach] and I am really hungry for more.

“We got to the semi final of last year’s competition and we want to go as far as we can because there is nothing better than getting your hands on that trophy.

“[We have to approach the game] very professionally. I have been really impressed with our players – the way they have handled different levels of games in quick succession.

“We will be massively respectful to Forest and what they are about.

We have done our homework and we will make sure that when we cross the white line we show a professional performance.”