Shaw: My aim on tour is to get minutes and stay healthy

Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw says she’s looking to stay healthy on City’s pre-season tour of Australia.

Gareth Taylor’s side are in Western Australia for the Perth International Cup, which will see us play Leicester City and one of West Ham United or Paris Saint-Germain next week.

Shaw missed the final three matches of our 2023/24 campaign after sustaining a foot injury in the April win over West Ham United.

So having had the summer to rest and recover, the newly crowned PFA Players’ Player of the Year just wants to get through her first matches since unscathed.

“It’s mainly about getting minutes,” she said when asked about her priorities for the trip.

“Some of the players were at the Olympics but those of us that weren’t haven’t played in a long time.

“For example, I’m coming off my injury so for me it’s about staying healthy, getting minutes first and foremost and then the results will come later.”

Women’s Team

City in Australia: Travelling squad announced

Our record goalscorer couldn’t be at the PFA Awards in Manchester on Tuesday night, owing to her travel to Australia.

However, she had already been informed of her award and had some time to take it in.

Reflecting on it a few days later, she was grateful to the league’s stars for voting for her after a Golden Boot winning season in the WSL.

“I’m honoured, especially because it was voted for by my peers,” said Shaw.

“I always just try to give my best when I’m on the pitch and then just to enjoy my football, because that’s when I’m at my best.

“The way I play, I’m happy when I score goals and that’s how I can really help the team. To be voted by those fantastic players means that I’m doing something good.”

Picture Special

Gallery: Training and a walk on our first day in Perth!

Looking ahead, Shaw is raring to go for the new Barclays Women’s Super League campaign when it gets under way at Arsenal on 22 September.

Having been pipped to the title by Chelsea on the final day of last season, Shaw says the entire squad want to go one step further this time around.

“I’m ready!” she said.

“We want to pick up from where we left off last season. Not winning the title on the last day means we want to push on even further to ensure that at the end we win the trophy.

“The belief is there and has always been there but off the back of last season, the way we played and how consistent we were. That consistency and the positive results has given us the confidence to know we can do more.”