Chelsea and Birmingham City will be hoping to move one step closer to Wembley when the pair contest a Vitality Women’s FA Cup quarter-final tie at Kingsmeadow on Sunday.
Emma Hayes’ Blues are the current holders of the trophy after defeating Arsenal 3-0 at Wembley in last season’s final. They will be the red hot favourites to advance from this weekend’s quarter-final tie with opponents Birmingham City having endured a difficult season which has left them bottom of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League table.
Defender Magda Eriksson made a successful return to the Chelsea squad for the 3-0 victory over Everton in midweek and is again likely to be involved against Birmingham City. It is unknown whether Fran Kirby will be ready to return with the player having recently been ill.
Birmingham City’s interim head coach Darren Carter remains short of options as his side bid to cause a major upset at Kingsmeadow. Goalkeeper Emily Ramsey and attackers Jade Pennock and Louanne Worsley are closing in on returns but will not be fit for this weekend while Lucy Whipp and Sarah Ewens are likely to remain sidelined for some time yet. Youngster Arabella Suttie has stepped up her recovery following a long term injury but she will need to continue her rehabilitation.
The Vitality Women’s FA Cup quarter-final tie between Chelsea and Birmingham City is scheduled to kick-off at 2pm on Sunday afternoon. No tickets are currently available for this match.
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