Manchester Metropolis’s Khiara Keating is match to face West Ham United on Sunday, averting a goalkeeping disaster for the Ladies’s Tremendous League title chasers.
Keating withdrew from worldwide responsibility with England due to a knee concern, whereas back-ups Sandy McIver and Ellie Roebuck are out for the season.
City have signed Brighton keeper Katie Startup on loan – however supervisor Gareth Taylor says Keating is out there.
“She’s tremendous, she got here again from England as a precaution,” Taylor stated.
“She has an ongoing concern along with her knee, however we’re managing that. It was additionally unlikely she would have began for England, so it made no sense to push her an excessive amount of in coaching [for the Lionesses].
“She’s been again coaching because the worldwide break, and it was nice to get Katie in coaching from Brighton this week.”
Keating withdrew from England responsibility earlier than their opening Euro 2025 qualifiers in opposition to Sweden and the Republic of Eire, with Mary Earps and Hannah Hampton beginning these fixtures. Metropolis haven’t performed a sport because the worldwide break.
City lost second choice McIver in the course of the worldwide break as she ruptured her anterior cruciate knee ligament (ACL) whereas on responsibility with Scotland.
“Sandy is sweet, contemplating,” Taylor stated. “We had a superb dialog along with her. It is going to be a protracted interval for her, however we assist her on the entire journey.
“There might be ups and downs, it’s a powerful harm; Chloe [Kelly] had it, it’s prevalent within the WSL, however the assist group round her is de facto good.”
England worldwide Roebuck is absent after suffering a stroke earlier within the season.
“She’s in good spirits, however being again coaching with the group is a great distance off,” Taylor stated.
Startup has been recruited on mortgage from Brighton till the top of the season, with Taylor saying they have been hampered by guidelines stating they may not signal free brokers outdoors the switch window – however might recruit an emergency mortgage from a fellow WSL membership.
“We have been going by the squad lists, taking a look at who had three match goalkeepers,” he stated.
“[Brighton manager] Mikey Harris was actually good, and Katie has been made to really feel very welcome right here. Brighton have been useful – they recognised it was a chance for Katie.”
Metropolis are stage on factors with WSL leaders Chelsea, with 4 matches remaining. They are going to transfer high of the league on Sunday by avoiding defeat in opposition to West Ham.
