ANNA Signeul will add Kim Little to her squad for next month’s friendlies against Romania and Sweden provided her star player returns to the Arsenal side before then.
The midfielder has missed Scotland’s last three Euro preparation games, and all five of Arsenal’s Spring Series matches, with a hamstring tear. She was on the bench for Saturday’s win over Birmingham City but didn’t play.
Little wasn’t included in yesterday’s 20-woman squad for the home game against Romania at Falkirk Stadium on June 9 or the away game in Vaxjo four days later. However, Signeul will pick three more players next week.
“Even if she’s Kim Little I didn’t want to select her and then have to de-select her because of injury,” Signeul said.
“Her hamstring is better now and she trained all last week, but has been feeling it a bit in her calf.
“There are three games coming up for Arsenal between now and next Saturday. If she comes back playing and it goes well she is in the squad.
“I’m counting that she will be – but I don’t want to stress her and rush her back.”
Still missing from the Scotland squad is Little’s club team-mate Emma Mitchell. The left back, who has a more serious hamstring injury, will be touch and go for the Euros.
Definitely out with an ACL injury is Hibernian forward Lizzie Arnot, who will miss the rest of the season.
“Overall we have been very unlucky this spring with injuries, but what is really positive now is that almost everybody is back,” Signeul said.
“The devastation for me is Lizzie Arnot. She was probably the best player in the SWPL in the opening matches.”
There was no place for Eskilistuna United central defender Vaila Barsley despite an impressive debut against Belgium last month. Either Barsley or Hibs captain Joelle Murray could be added next week.
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