Tomorrow’s outing against Derby County Ladies sees Guiseley Vixens facing a “tough” task, in the opinion of manager Glen Preston.

Guiseley’s opponents sit sixth ahead of the match but have played one more game than the Vixens who remain bottom of the league.

However, Guiseley are also set to add to their own strengths tomorrow, with the return of some key players, as well promising new signings, leaving Preston confident that his side can get a positive result to kick-start their escape from relegation.

“Obviously there’s Griff (Lauren Griffiths) who’s returning,” says Preston, “she had been out on a two-match ban that ended up lasting two months which is just how it goes I suppose!

“We’ve got Fiona Worts coming back as well who’s been out for two months and there’s also Lefty (Natalie Brace) who’s a Premier League winner, she scored a quality goal in our last game against Stoke which was her first start, so she needs a few games under her belt to get going.”

“Chan (Chantelle O’Hara) is set to come back as well, she’s one of our best players and in my opinion one of the best central midfielders in the league, we’ve not had her available for the last three months.

“And then of course, we’ve got a few new signings, the likes of Charlotte Gill’s coming from Liverpool Feds; a really neat and tidy playmaker who adds to our strengths.

“So we’ve got a lot of quality players that haven’t had a lot of game time and I think once they do get match-fit and start to gel a bit more, I think we’ll be a different beast from the side we’ve seen in the first half of the season, I certainly hope so anyway.”

Photo: Alex Daniel | Words: Connor Craig-Jackson