The Netherlands international was absent from our trip to Liverpool last time out where we recorded a dramatic 2-1 win at Anfield.
It represented the first time the Barclays Women’s Super League’s all-time leading goalscorer had missed a matchday since her summer arrival from Arsenal having made five appearances for the Club so far.
St Polten v City | Match preview
And the boss revealed her current issue isn’t serious, but her condition will be assessed ahead of flying to Vienna for Wednesday’s European clash.
“We’re still assessing Viv and the slight niggle she has got and that’s all it is,” he explained.
“We’ve placed big importance on this game tomorrow. We have one more game before the break. We’ll assess Viv over the next 24 hours and see if she can make the journey with us to Vienna.”
Naomi Layzell also missed the trip to Merseyside after the versatile defender received treatment and couldn’t continue in stoppage time of our fantastic win over Barcelona last week.
On her fitness, Taylor says he’s hoping she’ll be available after the upcoming international break.
He added: “Naomi is doing really well. She’s probably going to be ahead of what we anticipated. Once we’re on the other side of the international break, she won’t be too far away. Which is good news.”
City’s clash with St Polten on Wednesday at 17:45 (UK) is the Blues’ eighth assignment in four weeks since our Champions League qualifier first leg win over Paris FC.
But Taylor believes our strength in-depth coupled with individual versatility has helped ease the strain on his squad as we compete on four fronts this term.
“[Two games a week is] challenging, there’s no doubt about it but it’s exciting as well,” he admitted.
“The squad depth this year means we have more attacking options is obviously a bonus. The blow and effects we’re still feeling is losing Risa in the Olympics. She’s a good and intelligent player and can play in multiple positions in the back line.
“When you lose a player like that it’s really difficult. Another example is Laia, highly intelligent and able to play multiple positions but we know that her favoured position and where she’s at her best is at centre-back.
“It leaves us a little light at the back and we have to be creative. We’ve have young players coming from the Academy like Gracie Prior who has joined us now, but we haven’t had great opportunities to see her yet due to the consistency of the other defenders.
“Codie Thomas and Lily Murphy. We’ve seen a little bit of Lily and what she can do. It’s good for us.
“Once you’ve qualified for the Champions League, the first thing you look at is the squad and realise it’s going to be a big load on the squad but this is what we want.
If it means we have to do less training between games then we will do it. Having Jill back is a really good addition for us and feels like we’ve got a new player.”
St Polten v City: Man City App coverage
As always, the official Man City app will provide comprehensive coverage before, during and after the action in Austria.
Our Matchday Centre, providing detailed text updates, stats and analysis will be available to follow from 16:15, carrying on throughout the game and including the best post-match reaction.
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Those with push notifications turned on will be alerted to all the key moments as they unfold, with live audio commentary from Ali Mann also available to guide you through the action.
A detailed match report and interviews with Gareth Taylor and players alike can be accessed soon after the final whistle.
Highlights from the game plus a CITY+ full-match replay, meanwhile, will be available from 23:00 (UK) on Thursday 17 October.
