in

Chelsea ace Fran Kirby says she is still ‘building confidence’ after her illness ahead of Arsenal League Cup tie


FRAN KIRBY revealed she is still rebuilding her confidence after being told she may never play football again due to a rare heart condition.

The Chelsea and England star, 27, has been on fire since her return, hitting twice in all three of the Blues’ top-flight games so far this season.

Fran Kirby has scored twice in the opening three games of the WSL

Kirby was diagnosed with pericarditis – an inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the heart – in November.

She made an emotional return to football in the Blues’ win over Manchester City in the Community Shield at the end of August.

The West Londoners are preparing to defend their Continental Cup trophy against last year’s finalists, Arsenal, in their opening tie on Wednesday.

And the strike sensation told Chelsea’s official website : “I feel 100 per cent fit. I wouldn’t be playing if I didn’t,

“That’s the most important thing I’ve learned over my career. I need to make sure that I’m looking after myself and that every time I step on the pitch I’m 100 per cent ready to go.

“I’m feeling really good, so hopefully I can keep building on that and I’ve properly pushed myself to the limit this year. I’m in a really good place.

“When I know that we’ve got so many good players who can come into the game and make an impact, it’s exciting for me to be a part of and I want to keep growing and building my confidence.”

Some clubs will be streaming the games live and the FA Player will have all matches available to fans for the day after.

Group Stage 1 of the Continental Cup

Wednesday, October 7

Liverpool v Manchester United – 2pm

Tottenham Hotspur v London City Lionesses – 3.30pm

Chelsea v Arsenal – 7pm

Durham v Coventry United – 7pm

Manchester City v Everton – 7pm

Aston Villa v Sheffield United, 7.30pm

Brighton & Hove Albion v West Ham United – 7.30pm

Reading v Charlton Athletic – 7.30pm

Bristol City v London Bees – 7.30pm

Lewes v Crystal Palace – 7.45pm

Thursday, October 8

Blackburn Rovers v Birmingham City – 7.45pm

Watch Arsenal ace Vivianne Miedema score incredible goal against Reading


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


Tagcloud:

How Barcelona line-up with new-look XI after Luis Suarez sale as Braithwaite is given iconic striker’s old No9 shirt

Chelsea’s 25 players out on loan valued at £120m after Barkley’s Aston Villa move, and Loftus-Cheek’s Fulham switch