Taylor provides Aleixandri and Layzell fitness boost | OneFootball

Gareth Taylor says Laia Aleixandri and Naomi Layzell have both received ‘really good news’ on their respective recoveries from injury.

The defensive duo are still unavailable for City’s UEFA Women’s Champions League clash with Hammarby on Tuesday, but the extent of both their injuries is less significant than first feared.

Layzell’s last appearance came in our Group D opener against Barcelona, when she was forced off with an ankle issue late on after a standout performance.

Aleixandri, meanwhile, has been ruled out after picking up an injury on international duty last month, but both have made positive progress in recent weeks.

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“In my last presser I mentioned Naomi was getting closer,” Taylor explained in his pre-match press conference.

“There's some positive news on hers after further investigation and Laia is similar. That's really good news because it could've been longer.

“They're both working extremely hard, this game has come too soon for them but they're not far away at all.

“Hopefully we can start getting that little bit of Support for the players in the backline, we’re a bit stretched at the moment.

"That's down to the intensity of the games and quality we've played, but you have to give great credit to the girls for how they're handling it, the performances and results they've shown.”

City face Hammarby in each of our next two Group D fixtures, travelling to Sweden next Thursday after Tuesday evening's clash at the Joie Stadium.

There are currently three points separating the two sides as we approach the halfway point in the group stages.

A win could open up a six-point gap for City against a side currently just outside the top two qualifying spots on goal difference, but the boss isn't taking Hammarby's threats lightly.

He added: “It is a key game, definitely. We play away next week in probably another good atmosphere from what we saw in their previous home game against St Polten.

"A partisan crowd that will make a lot of noise, we’re expecting a tough challenge tomorrow, there's no doubt. We're fully aware of the strengths and areas we can exploit in the opposition.

"We try to make it about us and where we feel the important parts of the game are going to be.

"They’re a team that are capable on certain games, they were the only team to beat Rosengard in their title winning season, and one of our former players Julie [Blakstad] is there as well, so we keep an eye on those games to see how she's doing.

"It’s a big game for us and an important one. We're pleased to be back home and looking forward to the challenge."