The young defender enjoyed a successful first campaign at the Academy Stadium having signed from Arsenal in 2021, but her impact in 2022/23 was initially curtailed by a thigh injury picked up while on England Under-19 duty this summer.
Mace’s first minutes of the season would come off the bench in November’s victory over Sunderland, and the 19-year-old would follow that up with further substitute appearances against Brighton and Liverpool.
And the young defender believes her experience on the side-lines will benefit her in the long run.
She said: “I’ve never had an injury that’s left me out for that long so obviously mentally it’s been hard and challenging.
“But I feel like that’s just part of football. I’ve learned that you’ve just got to get on with it and come back better every time.
“I’ve had a lot phone calls, my agent probably hates me calling him all the time. But I’ve also spoken to my parents and the physios, they can tell when times are hard and when I’m okay.
“Their support and them being there for me, it means a lot to me. “
Mace is, understandably, delighted to be back out on the pitch with her team-mates.
It’s an experience which the 19-year-old doesn’t take lightly.
“I’m quite privileged to get the chance to perform for Manchester City,” Mace reflected.
“They’re such a big club and even now, sometimes I’m lost for words when I see my name on the team sheet.
“It’s every kid’s dream and for them to accept me for the player I am and put me in the squad to showcase my abilities, it means a lot. I only want to get better.”
City return to WSL action on Sunday 15 January when we travel to West Ham. Our first home game of 2023 is on Saturday 21 January against Aston Villa.
