Taylor boosted by Kerolin and Shaw availability | OneFootball

Gareth Taylor says Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw and Kerolin could be available from the start of Sunday’s Barclays Women’s Super League clash with Arsenal.

The pair were both introduced as second half substitutes in City’s 4-2 WSL win over Aston Villa last week, the latter making her debut for the Blues in the process.

Shaw had been absent since early December, but Taylor says last season’s Golden Boot winner is edging closer to a full return as we prepare to face the Gunners at 12:00 (UK).

The boss added that City will be without Laura Coombs as she recovers from a thigh issue and, with a busy fixture period looming, minutes would be monitored across the squad.

Speaking on Kerolin and Shaw, Taylor said: “Both are pretty close [to starting]. Of course, when you go into this, three games in seven days working out the best way to do that.

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“Viv is still at point where she can’t play 90 after 90 from where she’s been.

“We have good options and it’s kind of working out what that week is like. We’re not looking too far ahead, we have an important game Sunday.

“I saw some good things at villa last week against a difficult opponent. To put four past them is very impressive, that's exciting.

“We lost [Laura] Coombs in the warm up, who won’t be available. But outside that the players who were introduced, [Aemu] Oyama, Kerolin, Bunny, Naomi [Layzell] wasn’t on the pitch, but they have more training under their belt.

“Bunny is a bit further down the line and it bodes well for the busy period coming up.”

More to follow...

City v Arsenal app coverage

As always, the official Man City app will keep you across all the action from the Joie Stadium, beginning with live updates, stats and analysis in our Matchday Centre from 10:30 (UK).

From kick-off, Alistair Mann and Karen Bardsley will provide live audio commentary, while those with push notifications turned on will also be alerted to all the key moments as they unfold.

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Soon after the final whistle, a match report and reaction from both Gareth Taylor and players alike can be accessed.

Highlights from the encounter, plus a CITY+ full-match replay will also be made available from 12:00 (UK) on Monday 3 February.