Reiten in the wings to make Blues debut

Chelsea Women start their WSL 1 season on Sunday when they face newly-promoted Spurs at Stamford Bridge with a 12.30pm kick-off, writes Paul Lagan.

Boss Emma Hayes has made just one addition to the squad that finished a disappointing third in last season’s league – missing out on a coveted Champions League spot this term.

Norway’s tricky left winger Guro Reiten joined the Blues in the summer.

She is set to make her league bow for the Blues as Hayes mulls over whether to risk striker Fran Kirby who pulled out of the England squad with a niggly knee injury.

England drew 3-3 away to Belgium at the weekend and lost on Tuesday night to Reiten’s Norway.

Chelsea’s Carly Telford and Millie Bright played in the 2-1 defeat to Norway while striker Beth England came off the bench for her second cap.

Full-back Hannah Blundell was called up to the squad but did not feature in either match.
Chelsea’s pre-season has not gone well with a well-publicised double drubbing in Toulouse where Hayes charges lost 5-0 and 5-2 to Montpellier and Bayern Munich respectfully.

Hayes admitted that the French Women’s Cup was probably not a good idea in terms of trying to win the tournament as they knew they were well behind their rivals in pre-season preparation.

Since then they have focused much of their time on building up their fitness levels.

Despite the match advertised as a sell-out at the Bridge, some tickets, which are free, have been returned and anyone wishing to go should call the club direct on 0371 811 1905.