Women's Football News

Leading Womens Football Weekly Magazine, Web and TV Media


Latest News	Women's Football TV	News Archive	Search	Get the Mag

Womens Football News Archive - 5th Sep 2003

Star defender on brink of return from injury

Exclusive interview with Faye White

As England get ready for their first international of the season against Australia on Thursday, one piece of good news for Coach Hope Powell is that key defender Faye White is well on her way to making her comeback from a long term injury.

Faye, who may be in line to take over the England captaincy when she returns, suffered a serious knee ligament injury when playing for Arsenal against Fulham last season and she was sorely missed by both club and country. Incredibly, she remains the last player to captain England to victory - against Iceland 12 months ago.

Speaking to Women's Soccer Scene after Arsenal's 7-1 victory at Aston Villa on Sunday, Faye reveals her immediate plans: "I'm ready! I've a few games to get under my belt at reserve level, to get a bit of confidence and hopefully for the manager to get confidence in me as well. In a couple of weeks I'll hopefully be fighting to get my place back."

Faye has been recalled to the England squad for the Australia and Germany games but she is not expecting to take part: "I think it's more to test on how far I've come and we'll take it from there."

Arsenal have won two of their opening three games and were also held to a goalless draw by Everton. "We made lots of chances (against Everton) - 18 in total, in fact, but unfortunately their goalkeeper (Rachel Brown) had a great game and we couldn't convert them."

However a Jayne Ludlow hat-trick helped them on their way to a convincing win against Villa. "It was important for the girls to get a few goals under their belts and to get a win today.

"Once they got a breakaway goal, they looekd as if they were going to sit back and soak up the pressure. Once we got even, they seemed to know they weren't going to hold us for the rest of the game."

The Gunners have been strengthened by three new signings, Japanese striker Ishida, Jo Potter - one of the best crossers of a ball around - and midfielder Justine Lorton from Charlton Athletic who gave a fine display, acknowledged by Faye: "Justine's doing well in the holding role and being very disciplined whereas in the past she would go forward to try and get a goal. That's the position we've asked her to play, in front of the back four, so she's doing quite well and we're pleased for her."

After a rare trophyless season, Arsenal are on the hunt for silverware this time around and Faye White's impending return will be a massive boost for them.