'I'm still here fighting' – Jordan Nobbs hoping for career renaissance at Women's World Cup ahead of Haiti opener

ByJames Hilsum

Published 12/07/2023 at 13:16 GMT

Jordan Nobbs has forced her way back into contention on the international stage after earning a place in Sarina Wiegman's World Cup squad. The Aston Villa midfielder has overcome a torrid spell of injuries and will add bolster England's options in the centre of the pitch. She spoke about making the move to Villa and spoke about her path to recovery after a debilitating ACL injury.

Jordan Nobbs is hoping for renaissance in her international career going into this year’s Women’s World Cup.

The Aston Villa midfielder missed out on England's unforgettable Euro 2022 success, along with the 2019 World Cup and 2021 Olympic Games with Team GB due to injury.

Nobbs is one of the most experienced players in a more youthful-looking squad, and seems to value her selection even more given her tribulations in recent years.

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"I'm still waking up now with the butterfly feeling. Everyone dreams of playing in major tournaments," said Nobbs in an interview with BBC Sport.

"Everyone knows the journey I've been on so to be part of this one and be part of such a talented squad is an unbelievable feeling.

"My phone obviously blew up after the call up. The closest people to you know the journey and they see the everyday things."

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Sarina Wiegman’s side have travelled to Australia without the sidelined trio of Fran Kirby, Beth Mead and captain Leah Williamson – the latter two making their respective comebacks from ACL injuries.

Nobbs spoke about the long road ahead for the duo, and highlighted the importance of mental resilience in making a full recovery.

"It's like learning to walk again when you suffer that kind of injury. I was sat in front of the TV with ice on my leg. You're not really doing much," she added.

"You go into a place where you self-sabotage, sit and mope around for a bit. Once you're up again, your goal is to get back on that pitch.

"If I look back and think about what I've been through, I'm still here fighting. You can come through a lot in the game."

Jordan Nobbs

Image credit: Getty Images

The 30-year-old is now a former club team-mate of Mead and Williamson, after taking a tough decision to leave the Gunners after 12 trophy-laden years in a bid to play more consistently.

That move has now reaped dividends, with Nobbs forcing her way back into the squad and ready to consign a frustrating injury-plagued spell to the past.

"I knew with regular game time I could get back to my best. [I had] a manager like Carla [Ward] who gave me licence to play and enjoy my football again," she explained.

"It was a risk to a certain extent but with the limited game-time I was getting [at Arsenal], I had nothing to lose as well.

"There were a lot of tears and it was difficult to leave a club that I loved and owe a lot to. But when it comes to wanting to drive towards another major tournament, I had to do everything possible."

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