Man Utd hopeful of Toone return at Spurs

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner says he is hopeful Ella Toone will be involved in Sunday's crucial Women's Super League trip to Tottenham.

Toone has not played since the end of December because of a hip complaint.

The injury ruled her out of United's run to the Women's Champions League quarter-finals and also two England camps that resulted in Sarina Wiegman's side charging to the top of their World Cup qualifying group.

However, as they head into the WSL run-in, when victories in their final three matches, including a last-day trip to Chelsea, will seal a place in next season's Champions League play-offs, Skinner is optimistic Toone will be back.

"Tooney will train [on Friday]," said Skinner. "We are hopeful she may be involved this weekend, which would be fantastic."

Skinner also confirmed Sweden full-back Anna Sandberg was available after recovering from the knee injury that has kept her out for two months, while striker Ellen Wangerheim is available after a month out with a shin problem.

Beaten in the League Cup final and the FA Cup by Chelsea and the Champions League quarter-finals by Bayern Munich, United were also defeated at Old Trafford by Manchester City the last time they played in WSL.

It has brought more focus on Skinner, whose contract runs to 2027, with some supporters believing he has taken the team as far as he can.

Now the longest-serving WSL manager, Skinner defended his work but opted not to look beyond the end of the season.

"You enter a job like Man Utd and of course you are open to scrutiny," he said.

"But we also live in a world where there is a constant 'look at the negative side'.

"Actually, the positive side is we have created history at this club and we have to continue to do so.

"My job is to prepare my team for these next three games and to try and win them.

"Regardless of what people think, I know who I am, I know what I do and I know what our focus will be. I am ready to take on the challenge of these next three games and get my team to do the same.

"After that, who knows what happens?"

Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed