Once again, Skinner expects to have all of his squad available to him for our last-eight clash barring January signing Jayde Riviere. The Canadian full-back is gradually easing into training and is looking “really sharp” according to the boss, who is hopeful that she can join full sessions next week. Fellow winter addition Lisa Naalsund was named on the bench in last weekend’s game against Chelsea but could feature in red for the first time against Lewes.
The hosts are also in good stead heading into the game, setting up an exciting clash for a sell-out crowd.
FORM GUIDE
United come into this fixture having only lost two games in the league so far this season, both at the hands of Chelsea. The most recent of those defeats came last weekend when a Sam Kerr goal was the difference as the reigning champions collected all three points at home.
But Skinner’s side have shown that we can grind out victories on the road, with memorable wins over Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur this campaign, as well as a draw at Man City. On our way to this quarter-final clash, the Reds earned a tough win away against Sunderland in the fourth round, before a 5-0 thumping fifth-round victory over Durham at Leigh Sports Village booked our place in the last eight.
Sunday’s hosts, Lewes, are currently sitting midtable of the Championship with five wins in their 15 league games. They come into the quarter-finals on the back of a defeat to London City last weekend. The south-coast side will, however, be full of confidence after their fifth-round rout of Cardiff City saw them win 6-1 to secure their historical progression to this stage of the FA Cup, for the first-ever time.