Chelsea boss Emma Hayes feels her aspect are totally ready to kick off their FA Cup title defence with out prolific striker Sam Kerr, who scored the winner in final 12 months’s Wembley closing.
The Australia captain on Thursday underwent surgical procedure for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage and is ready for a prolonged spell on the sidelines.
The Ladies’s Tremendous League-leading Blues first have to seek out their well past West Ham, who’ve already been lively within the switch window with the signings of Shelina Zadorsky, Katrina Gorry and Kerr’s fiancee Kristie Mewis, whereas Chelsea have added defender Nathalie Bjorn from Everton.
Hayes, whose trophy cupboard already contains 5 FA Cups, mentioned: “I do know Sam would count on me to say nothing much less. Our focus has obtained to be on the gamers which can be match and problem for me is to seek out these options.
“I belief within the squad that we’ve and we’ve added to that as nicely.”
The competitors’s total prize pot has been doubled to virtually £6million this season, with a minimal £54,000 for fourth-round winners whereas the shedding golf equipment obtain £13,000 – up from £15,000 and £3,750 respectively.
West Ham boss Rehanne Skinner mentioned: “The cup is an incentive in itself however the prize cash is a large incentive, as a result of it’s a big amount of cash while you’re speaking about gamers and making additions.
“Growing the prize cash is absolutely vital in serving to the expansion of the sport.”
Fifth-tier Luton are the lowest-ranked workforce remaining and can face WSL competitors for the primary time after they host Brighton.
Albion head coach Melissa Phillips mentioned: “The FA Cup is such a particular occasion, the historical past of the event, the magic as they are saying and what a improbable match-up we’ve, a tier-five workforce and a top-tier workforce. They’ll actually be up for the sport.”
Phillips’ aspect had been crushed in final 12 months’s semi-final by Manchester United, who tackle Nationwide League Northern Premier Division leaders Newcastle with over 1,000 Magpies followers getting ready to make the journey to Leigh Sports activities Village.
United boss Marc Skinner confessed final 12 months’s 1-0 loss within the closing “appears like yesterday” and vowed his aspect “wish to go one higher than we did final 12 months”.
Newcastle striker Katie Barker insisted her aspect are brimming with confidence, saying: “Regardless of who we play, we all the time play a sport to win and we’ll do every part we will to win the sport.”
Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall vowed to take the competitors severely, starting in opposition to Watford. He mentioned: “There’s no excuse for not having the ability to discipline your finest groups in these competitions.”
Durham’s assembly with Manchester Metropolis, chosen for broadcast on the BBC, will mark the primary time the Championship aspect have been televised.
Durham midfielder Lauren Briggs informed the membership web site: “It’s one thing all of us dream of, a terrific alternative, and we’ve labored actually exhausting for this.”
Bristol Metropolis host Liverpool in an all-WSL match-up whereas Championship Sheffield United journey to Tottenham and tier-three Derby welcome top-flight Leicester.
Sunderland face Southampton, Blackburn make the journey to Crystal Palace, Plymouth face Nottingham Forest and Ipswich meet Charlton.
Tier-three Burnley play Championship leaders Birmingham, Studying tackle Wolves and London Metropolis Lionesses play Moneyfields.
