Taylor discusses Miedema, Kelly and Roord availability | OneFootball

Gareth Taylor has provided a positive update on Vivianne Miedema, Chloe Kelly and Jill Roord ahead of City’s UEFA Women’s Champions League clash with St Polten.

Kelly was left out of our 4-0 win over Leicester having sustained a concussion on England duty, and the boss says it’s ‘touch and go’ whether she’ll be available on Thursday.

However, Taylor is confident the winger will make her return before the Christmas break, potentially against Everton at the weekend.

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The boss also reiterated that Roord’s late substitution against Leicester with a groin issue wasn’t a major cause for concern, with the midfielder being monitored but back in contention for St Polten.

And while Thursday’s clash will come too soon for Miedema as she recovers from knee surgery, the Dutch international has recently returned to on-pitch training.

The boss expects her to be available in the new year, with her last appearance coming in October’s Champions League opener against Barcelona.

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“Viv is back on the pitch, which is great”, Taylor began.

“The reality is we won't see her in these next three games before we break, but we’re looking forward to getting her back in early January for when we restart.

“That’s a big boost for everyone. Any team would miss a player like that.

“Chloe Kelly is close. It’s touch and go for tomorrow’s game just with [concussion] protocol. There were a few existing symptoms she was suffering with those types of injuries.

“It's so dangerous so we need to make sure she’s in the right place and feeling good.

“At the moment we’re a bit short on the checks. If not tomorrow, it'll be Sunday [when Chloe returns].

“We’re managing Jill [Roord], once we get to January the medical staff have told me there will be no restrictions, which is great. What she has done up to now has been really admirable.

“Her performance at the weekend was top, we’re pushing her in the right sense.

“She’s feeling good, wants to play more but we have to be mindful that four games in 10 days is tight for us at the moment.

“She’ll be available to play [against St Polten] but we have to factor in a quick turnaround to Sunday against Everton and before you know it, Wednesday in Barcelona.”

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The boss also added that he expects reinforcements in January to make a huge impact on his team, in terms of both injured players returning and in potential recruitment.

With 13 wins in 15 matches in all competitions City have enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign, but Taylor feels the Christmas break has come at an opportune moment for his team.

“I think we have these three games left now, it feels like, not that we're limping over the line but in terms of managing a small squad, we got youngsters on the pitch because we’re relieving other players.

“If we can get through in good shape and with good performances it’ll finish the year on a positive.

“Hopefully we get the reinforcements in the transfer window and with players coming back.

“[Naomi] Layzell, [Vivianne] Miedema, Lauren [Hemp], a fully fit Jill Roord and Laia Aleixandri, these are the players you’re talking about, they’re exceptional players.”