Rehanne's five-point preview - Reading

Our Vitality Women's FA Cup campaign gets underway with our second trip to the Madejski Stadium in just over a month to face Reading on Sunday afternoon (2pm UK). Spurs Women Head Coach Rehanne Skinner shares her thoughts ahead of the Cup clash…

1 - Rest and recovery

With a break from the league over the past fortnight, what have the team been up to during the international window?

Rehanne: “It’s been really positive. We have had quite a chunk of our squad in and six players on international duty so there has been a good buzz. We have had a few days off and I think we were at a point where, you know, players needed that little bit of a break as well which has meant that it has given people that little bit more time to come back from injuries and that type of thing, so it’s been really positive."

2 – The run-in  

What could Rehanne tell us about the atmosphere in camp?

Rehanne: “We’ve got lots of different competitions going on right now that are generating enthusiasm in the sessions and I think that’s part of it as well, we’ve got to try and keep everybody on track ready for the last part of the season now.”

3 - International stars

Was our Head Coach looking forward to welcoming back the players who have been away on international duty?

Rehanne: “Yes of course. There is no greater thing than playing for your country and I’m keen for all of them to go away and do that, do well and really enjoy it. When they come back it has been a bit of a change of scenery, so it is an opportunity for all of them to come back in, get back with the team and focus on the last few games for us, but yes it will be good to have them all back.”

4 - Ash Neville nearing return

What was the latest on Ash Neville?

Rehanne: “Ash is back on the pitch, which is great news. She has completed a full training session so from that side of things it’s just a matter of time to get her closer to that game day opportunity really.”

5 – A different test  

Looking ahead to Sunday and the fourth round of the Women's FA Cup. We played our opponents Reading recently in the league, but a Cup game presents a different dynamic. What was Rehanne expecting?

Rehanne: “You’re right, it does present a different dynamic and in terms of what we are wanting to get out of it it’s important for us to approach it in a way that gets us into the next round.

"We have got to be ruthless. We want to make sure that we go and take the game to Reading and work really hard to show what we have been working on in training. Our aim is to bring that to the game and really give our fans something to cheer about and stay in the Cup for as long as we possibly can.”

Supporters can watch the match live online for free via The FA Player.

Rehanne on Spurs TV