The winger is one of 13 members of Gareth Taylor’s squad to represent their country in a series of international friendlies.
It means the squad have had plenty of time to put a slender 2-0 defeat to Chelsea in our most recent outing behind us ahead of Leicester’s visit to the Academy Stadium on Sunday 16 October.
And Raso says the international break can provide City with an opportunity to return to Barclays Women’s Super League duties with a spring in our step.
“[The international break] has come around quick, I didn’t go on the last one because of injury so it will be nice to get away, get a couple of games under the belt,” she reflected.
“We can come back refreshed and focused on the next game in the WSL.
“It’s tough when you lose your first two games, you want to get off to a good start, but we showed promising signs, particularly against Chelsea.
“We looked good and dangerous and played more our way. It’s tough but we’ll go into the next games with that behind us and hopefully produce a result.
“The mood is good around camp, we have a really good group. Training intensity is high, we come out, we want to learn, and we want to work hard.
“We’re doing all the right things. If we keep doing that, the results will come.”
Our Academy Stadium clash with the Foxes represents our first home encounter of the 2022/23 campaign.
It’s a fixture that Raso is relishing, and one that she believes will once again demonstrate the growth of the women’s game in the United Kingdom following this summer’s European Championships.
Indeed, the winger has explained the impact that a vocal City crowd can have on Gareth Taylor’s side, both against Leicester and across the entire campaign.
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She said: “We were all so excited for that first home game of the season against Arsenal. Unfortunately, it didn’t go ahead [due to the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II] but it’s always great to have your home fans behind you.
“They spur you on so we’re really looking forward to that.
“I think coming off the back of the Euros, you’re seeing how many people are taking to women’s football.
“We’re selling out stadiums, people are turning up all the time, there’s so much interest in it so hopefully that continues to grow and continues throughout the season.
“Being on the outside of the Euros and watching that I was able to see how many people got behind them.
“That’s transferred into the WSL season and you’re seeing in leagues around the world how much football’s growing and the interest in it.”
Hayley Raso and City team-mate Mary Fowler will take on Denmark in an international friendly on Tuesday 11 October.
Kick-off is scheduled for 17:00 (UK). You can find out how they both get on with a City-centric match report right here on mancity.com and the official Man City app.
