‘I’m fed up of not winning trophies’ – Lauren Hemp on Man City title charge and comeback from injury

Lauren Hemp is feeling energised after returning from injury, lifted by Manchester City’s strong start with the club sitting three points clear at the top of the Women’s Super League.

Hemp joined up with England this week ahead of fixtures against China and Ghana, returning to the Lionesses after missing the previous camp through injury.

The 25-year-old spoke openly about the difficulty of her recent setbacks and how City’s form has pushed her to get back to full fitness.

“Us as a squad at City, we’re doing really well at the moment,” Hemp said. “That’s definitely inspired me to keep pushing in my rehab. I wanted to come back from injury and help the team as much as I can, because they’ve been doing so well so far.

“It’s important that we continue to do so and put ourselves in the best possible position to win trophies this season, because I’m fed up of not winning!”

Hemp was out for five months last season with a knee injury, but recovered in time to play her part in the Lionesses’ historic summer.

After returning from the Euros, an ankle injury then saw her sidelined for two months, making her return on 9 November, where she scored a screamer against Everton.

On her injuries and setbacks over the last year, Hemp said: “I’m not going to lie, it’s been very frustrating.

“It was this time last year where I had my first knee injury. And then I tried my hardest to get back fit for the Euros which I did and had that crazy couple of months at the Euros.

“I was hoping to get back a bit of consistency as the season started but unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be.

“It’s the hardest thing being injured, it’s very gruelling gym sessions. But it’s all worth it when you get back fit and playing and back in the England badge again.”

Despite still being 25, she is now considered one of the more experienced players for England. The last camp saw Arsenal’s Taylor Hinds, Aston Villa’s Lucia Kendall, Liverpool’s Grace Fisk and West Ham’s Anouk Denton called up for the first time last month. They have been recalled, as well as a first senior call-up for London City Lionesses forward Freya Godfrey, who has been impressive in the WSL this season.

“It’s always nice to see new faces,” Hemp said. “It just shows how fantastic the pathway is and how many younger girls are coming into the setup now.

“I always want people to look up to me and sort of follow in the footsteps that I have. I’ve had a lot of experiences where at one point I was one of the younger ones, and I want people to be able to look up to me, like I did with Jill Scott and Steph Houghton.

“My first cap was against Portugal and at the time, I looked up to Jill, Steph, Karen Carney – who’s doing great in Strictly by the way.

“It was very daunting as a younger person coming into the setup, but those people made me feel welcome, at home and gave me a place within the group. And for that, I’m forever thankful because they instilled confidence in me that helped me perform at my best.”