rewrite this title Man City still without injured trio for WSL derby clash with Man Utd

Gareth Taylor has provided injury updates on three key players ahead of Manchester City’s derby clash against Manchester United this weekend.

City returned to action after the winter break last weekend with a comfortable fourth round FA Cup win at home to Ipswich Town. They are now gearing up for a huge WSL meeting with local rivals United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening.

Just a single point currently separates the two teams in the standings as Taylor’s side sit in third on 22, closely followed by Arsenal and United on 21. Chelsea comfortably lead the way on 28 points.

City were dealt a significant blow to their title hopes before Christmas as they suffered their second league defeat of the season against Everton. The result was a culmination of a significant number of injuries, which saw at least four key players sidelined during that period.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s derby, Taylor confirmed Khadija Shaw is closing in on a return to action, but the likes of Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood are still some way off.

“Alex and Lauren are in a good place,” he told the media in a press conference. “But we know their return is not immediate. 

“Bunny is a lot closer, though. It’s pretty imminent but we’re just trying to make sure we tick off a few of the markers that the medical team need to be happy with in order to be ready for this really busy period we’re going into. 

“This weekend will be too soon, but outside of that she is moving closer to [being ready for] the next couple of games.”

It’s set to be a busy week for City as Sunday’s derby will be followed by another meeting with United midweek, this time in the League Cup quarter-finals. Next weekend, they face Aston Villa away in the WSL and are at home to Arsenal eight days later.

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