Team news | Ho on Neville, Oroz, Holdt and Graham

Martin Ho revelead that Ashleigh Neville, Maite Oroz and Olivia Holdt missed our pre-season opener at Sevilla with ‘illness’ and ‘small knocks’ while admitted it was too soon for Kit Graham after training ‘exceptionally well’ in recent weeks.

‘Ash’, Maite and Olivia all missed the clash against the Liga F outfit which ended goalless at Estadio Jesus Navas on Friday evening with Lize Kop producing a crucial save in the first half while we were denied on a number of occasions in the second period.

Speaking to us afterwards, Martin reported: “Some of the players missed out, unfortunately. Ashleigh Neville, Maite Oroz and Olivia Holt all missed out with illness and a few knocks, but they have been training.”

Having recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament suffered in pre-season last year, Kit returned to full training in recent weeks but Martin said our friendly with Sevilla was just ‘too soon’ in her recovery.

“Kit [Graham] with a longer-term injury but she has been training really well, exceptionally well, but this game maybe came too soon for her. Hopefully with those players coming back into the fold, it makes it more competitive, and it will be good to have them back.

“Luana [Buhler] and Ella [Morris] who are a little bit more long-term, but they are also doing exceptionally well and I want to make sure they stay connected with the group.”

Our pre-season opener at Sevilla builds on an intense week of training in our performance in southern Spain, as part of preparation for the 2025/26 Barclays Women’s Super League campaign.