'Caged tiger' Lucy Bronze and Niamh Charles ready to make Chelsea return
Bronze has been unavailable since winning the European Championship with England in the summer, while Charles was withdrawn at half-time against Aston Villa in the second match of the season with an ankle problem.
After a period of rehabilitation, both are now ready to return to the pitch, and Bompastor agreed that Bronze is typically fired up for her return.
‘Lucy and Niamh are fit again and available for Sunday,’ Bompastor confirmed, before adding: ‘I think a caged tiger is a really good description of Lucy!', after the term was used by a journalist.
‘She brings a lot of energy to the team. I’ve never had someone in my squad with her mentality. She's really tough, and I think it's good to have these leaders back in the group, and I’m really happy for them both to be ready to play some minutes again.’
There was more positive news over the fitness of midfielder Sjoeke Nusken, who started against FC Twente in midweek but was withdrawn after 55 minutes, when she suffered a blow to the face in a duel with an opposition player.
After undergoing observation, the Germany international has been passed fit to play against Tottenham on Sunday.
‘Yes, Sio will be available,’ confirmed Bompastor. ‘She's alright. She's practising as normal today, and she will be available for selection.’
Meanwhile, Lauren James and Naomi Girma have also been working their way back to fitness, and while Bompastor thinks Chelsea fans could see the pair return soon, they are not quite ready.
‘They still need a few weeks before they will be available,’ said the head coach. ‘I think we could see them after the international break.’
Sunday’s opponents have never beaten Chelsea in the Women’s Super League. Yet under the guidance of new boss Martin Ho, Tottenham have won four out of their first five matches this season and sit just one point behind us in the table.
Bompastor is aware of the challenge our next opponents will pose, and noticed last year they had already begun to improve.
‘I’m not really surprised they are doing well,’ she said. ‘Because I think even last season, Tottenham always had a good team in possession of the ball. Probably last season, they didn't get the results they wanted to get. I know they are in good form, have a good dynamic, and have earned good results.
