'It's been a long time coming': Lumsden set for Magpies return

Lumsden is the club's second top scorer this season with three goals, but hasn’t pulled on the black and white shirt since the Magpies' win over Middlesbrough in the Adobe Women's FA Cup.

United's number 26 is finally delighted to be through the worst of her injury setback - and a return to face her former club Southampton on Sunday can't come quickly enough.

"It's been really tough for me," Lumsden admitted. "Picking up an injury over the Christmas break wasn't ideal, but now I'm ready to hit the ground running.

"Sitting on the sidelines and watching the girls play and train is like torture for me, and it feels like the weeks just go on forever because I always want to be out on the training pitch.

"It's been a long time coming, and this week is the first time I'll have been in full training with the team, so hopefully I can get some minutes on Sunday and start to build up my fitness."

Lumsden has been almost ever-present since joining United in January 2024, but before that, she'd already had a taste of professional football.

The tricky winger penned her first professional contract with Sunday's opponents back in 2022 ahead of their debut season in the Championship, and she looks back fondly on that moment in her career.

"I signed my first professional contract in football when I was with Southampton, so the club means a lot to me.

"Of course, it'll be nice to go back there, but ultimately we're there to do a job and win the game."

United recorded their first league win of 2025 last Sunday against Portsmouth but they remain in seventh place, just one spot above this weekend's opponents.

While Becky Langley’s side are six spots off the top of the table, they are only four points off Birmingham at the summit of the Championship, and Lumsden is confident they can put together a solid run of results.

"It's incredible how tight this league is, and it's all about fine margins.

"We know that as a squad we're good enough to put a good run of wins together and move up the table.

"We're never looking beyond our next game, and that's Southampton this Sunday, and we know we're good enough to put in a solid performance and leave with the three points."