‘It’s great timing’ – Recalled England midfielder Nobbs looking forward to Sunderland return | OneFootball

Arsenal midfielder Jordan Nobbs says that her England recall has come at the perfect time with the Lionesses facing Austria in her native North East tomorrow.

Sarina Wiegman’s side take on the Austrians at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland in their latest FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 qualifier.

With Arsenal teammate Leah Williamson sidelined through injury, Nobbs was recalled to the England squad this month. The midfielder was born in Stockton-On-Tees while she represented Sunderland for more than a decade at the start of her footballing career.

When speaking in an England media session, Nobbs said that the timing of her recall to the England squad was perfect.

“It’s obviously great to be back with England and it is great timing to go back to Sunderland and have the family and friends there, it’ll be nice to see them” Nobbs said.

“The Stadium of Light was one of the first stadiums that I ever played at. I came on at half-time in a men’s game when I was seven. It is a nice moment to be back in home grounds but playing for England is the main thing.”

Nobbs went on to talk about The Stadium of Light further, expressing just what the stadium means to her. Being on Wearside gave her moments to treasure even from a very young age.

The player said “It’s home really. When I was a kid, I used to play outside (the stadium) in little sand tournaments and I have got a book at home where I had kept a piece of the grass from my boot when I was seven.

“Sunderland was always a part of my football journey and it is always nice to go home and reminisce on that.”

Having started her journey on Wearside, Nobbs said that she is immensely proud of what she has achieved in the game and is grateful to have been given the opportunity by Sunderland at such a young age.

“I guess that back then when I was seven, I was a little girl who wanted to play football but now, the dream has come true and I have got to play for my national team and I’m playing for a top club in Arsenal,” Nobbs said.

“You learn a lot through the journey and I guess that I am very proud of myself to have achieved what I have and I am very glad that I went to Sunderland so young to start off that journey there.”

The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 qualifier between England and Austria at The Stadium of Light kicks-off at 12.30pm on Saturday afternoon. Tickets for the match can be purchased by clicking here.