Everton Women vs Newcastle United: Women's League Cup Preview
Today at 05:00 AM
Sorensen hints at rotation as Arsenal clash looms
Brian Sorensen has suggested that there will be a few changes in personnel for Wednesday night's Women's League Cup game with Newcastle United, but insists that his Everton Women team will be going to do its best.
The Blues get their campaign up and running at Kingston Park after two defeats in the Women's Super League and have a trip to Arsenal to look forward to at the weekend.
That will be something Sorensen will take into consideration when selecting his starting XI against a side his team have already faced in pre-season.
"We play Arsenal on Sunday at The Emirates, we have to manage it in the right way," he told evertontv.
"Of course, we do not go into any game thinking we are not going to do our best, but we will play some of the ones that maybe have not played as much because we need to take care of our squad.
"We played them in pre-season and it was a good game. It is exciting to play there, not on a Wednesday night away of course, but that is the luck of the draw.
"It was a good game we had here and I think it will be the same up there.
"When we played them five weeks ago, it was one of the last games before their Championship season started, so we have a pretty good picture of what they are coming with."
Issy Hobson may well be in line for her full debut against Newcastle, after the teenager completed eight minutes after replacing Sara Holmgaard in the defeat to Manchester United. Also in contention is young 'keeper Rylee Foster, who has been 'settling in well' according to Sorensen.
Karoline Olesen may well get the nod after she returned to action against United, while young star Ellie Jones could also be in and around the squad.
Two names who will definitely not feature will be Aurora Galli and Inma Gabarro, both of whom left the pitch early in the games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Man Utd, respectively, with the latter being stretchered off.
The Opposition
Sitting fifth in the Women's Championship and undefeated after three games, Becky Langley's team go into the fixture as confident underdogs following a solid start to the season following back-to-back promotions.
A well organised team who, like their WSL visitors, like to play football. A squad packed with potential, Jasmine McQuade's rapid rise through the Magpies' ranks has delighted fans, as well as her current performances in the Women's Championship.
Previous Meetings
It was just five weeks ago when Langley's side were on the receiving end of a 4-0 thrashing by Everton in pre-season, with the only other previous meeting coming in 2008 when the Blues put Newcastle out of the Women's FA Cup.
But that victory in August will seem a long time ago for both sides, and although Sorensen has always maintained the WSL is his main priority, a win in the opening group game of the Women's League Cup may just act as the boost needed to what is already looking like a long, difficult season.
Everton Women take on Newcastle United in their opening Group A game tomorrow at Kingston Park.
Kick-off is at 7pm (BST).
