Women's club captain Coral O'Keefe to make long-awaited injury return

This weekend, Rochdale Hornets Women club captain Coral O'Keefe will make her return from a knee injury which has kept her sidelined for almost a year.

In the first half of last season's Northern League 2 Grand Final, O'Keefe suffered a torn tendon in her knee - an injury which required surgery. 

Subsequently, she was sidelined for the entirety of the Hornets Women’s debut season in the Northern League 1. 

O'Keefe has been working hard to put herself in a position to get back out on the pitch for a number of months, and this weekend she will represent Great Britain Police during their historic inaugural tour to France.

O'Keefe and the squad will fly out to Albi later today, before taking on Racing Club Lescure Arthes XIII under the lights on Saturday night. 

"One year ago, I was facing surgery after tearing my tendon in my knee in the Northern League 2 Grand Final, knowing I’d have to spend a full season on the sidelines,” O’Keefe said.

"It’s been a long and frustrating road, with plenty of doubts about whether I’d get back to playing at all.

"Fast forward to now, having the opportunity to get back on the pitch makes me proud of my journey."

We wish Coral and her team-mates the very best of luck during this weekend’s tour.