Injury update: Knaak blow but positives on Hemp and Greenwood | OneFootball

Gareth Taylor says Rebecca Knaak will be ruled out for a ‘few weeks’ after the defender sustained a hamstring injury during the international break.

But the boss provided a positive update on Alex Greenwood, Lauren Hemp and Laura Coombs’ conditions – explaining he ‘hopes’ to see them reintroduced to action in March.

German centre-back Knaak was substituted during her nation’s 4-1 victory over Austria in the Nations League.

After making her senior debut in their 2-2 draw with the Netherlands, she remained in the starting XI for their second assignment in the competition but was forced off on 87 minutes.

And Taylor says Knaak will be unavailable for the trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday and most likely beyond.

“[Everyone’s returned from the international break] pretty good, the ones who are back,” he said.

“We’re still waiting on the Japanese players [we] managed to see Mary this morning which was good, their schedule was longer having played less than 48 hours ago and travelled since.

WATCH: Gareth Taylor's pre-match press conference

“There are high demands for them which gives us one day lead in tomorrow for the game on Sunday, obviously with travel too so things are tight, in terms of checking in with players and making sure everyone’s okay.

“But our comms have been pretty good so far. Everyone bar Rebecca Knaak has checked in really well.

“Unfortunately she came off in the second game for Germany, she deserved her debut but she’s picked up a hamstring injury which will keep her out for a few weeks.”

Among those who were present at the City Football Academy during the pause in domestic action were Coombs, Hemp and Greenwood who have been recovering from respective injuries.

Coombs has been absent since our League Cup win over Manchester United in January, meanwhile, Hemp and Greenwood haven’t featured in 2025 so far.

But Taylor said the trio are nearing a return and believes the eight matches in March will present an opportunity to ease them back into action.

He added: “[It was a] nice [break] for the staff to have a break but not many players did.

“Of course we worked with a small group here who were not on international duty, it was good to spend time working with Bunny [Shaw], [Aemu] Oyama, Gracie Prior as well.

“And also the reintroduction of Laura Coombs back into training has been good, she’s close to joining back up fully with the squad.

“She needs a little bit more training so it’s touch and go if it’s Sunday, if it’s not Sunday then Wednesday [against West Ham] we’ll be able to see Laura and of course Lauren Hemp.

“Lauren is pushing on and looking really good from what we’re seeing from her. She’s starting to be reintroduced to some moments of training which has been great to see.

“These games coming up might be too soon but she’s getting there and looking good. Alex is a bit further back but hopefully not too far away, also.”

When asked if both Hemp and Greenwood could return to the field in March he replied: “Yeah you’d hope so.

“You’d hope so of course, we want to make sure [they’re fit].

“There are plenty of games in there for them to be brought back gradually, certainly Lauren is a little bit closer than Alex.

“But Alex is in good spirits and a lot happier in the way she is physically. I’d like to say in March, we’d like to see them in March, but we know things can change but hopefully that’s the case.”