Kelly was left out of our 4-0 win over Leicester having sustained a concussion on England duty, and the boss says it’s ‘touch and go’ whether she’ll be available on Thursday.
However, Taylor is confident the winger will make her return before the Christmas break, potentially against Everton at the weekend.
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The boss also reiterated that Roord’s late substitution against Leicester with a groin issue wasn’t a major cause for concern, with the midfielder being monitored but back in contention for St Polten.
And while Thursday’s clash will come too soon for Miedema as she recovers from knee surgery, the Dutch international has recently returned to on-pitch training.
The boss expects her to be available in the new year, with her last appearance coming in October’s Champions League opener against Barcelona.
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“Viv is back out on pitch, which is great”, Taylor began.
“The reality of it is we won’t see her in these next three games before we break, but we’re looking forward to getting her back in early January for when we restart.
“That’s a big boost for everyone. She’s a top player and any team would miss having a player like that.
“Chloe Kelly is close. It’s probably touch and go for tomorrow’s game just with the [concussion] protocol. There were a few existing symptoms she was suffering with.
With those types of injuries it’s so dangerous so we need to make sure she’s in the right place, feeling good coming back into it and has crossed off all the checks.
“At the moment we’re a bit short on the checks. If not tomorrow, it’ll be Sunday [when Chloe returns].
“We’re managing Jill [Roord], once we get to January the medical staff have told me there will be no restrictions, which is great. What she’s done up to now has been really admirable in terms of how she’s returned.
“Her performance at the weekend was top as well, we’re pushing her in the right sense.
“She’s feeling good, she wants to play more but we have to be mindful of three games in six days, four games in 10 days is tight for us at the moment.
“She’ll be available to play [against St Polten] but we have to factor in a quick turnaround to Sunday against Everton and before you know it, Wednesday in Barcelona.”
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The boss also added that he expects reinforcements in January to make a huge impact on his team, in terms of both injured players returning and in potential recruitment.
With 13 wins in 15 matches in all competitions City have enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign, but Taylor feels the Christmas break has come at an opportune moment for his team.
“I think we have these three games left now, it feels like, not necessarily that we’re limping over the line but it feels a bit like that in terms of managing a small squad, we got youngsters on the pitch at the weekend because we’re relieving other players.
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“If we can get through in good shape, with good performances and results it’ll finish the year on a positive.
“Hopefully we get the reinforcements we need in January, in the transfer window and with players coming back.
“That’s going to be important, the likes of [Naomi] Layzell, [Vivianne] Miedema, Lauren [Hemp], a really fit Jill Roord and Laia Aleixandri, these are the players you’re talking about, they’re exceptional players.”
