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Jodie Taylor is hoping to make her second debut for Arsenal in Saturday’s Women’s Super League game against London rivals Tottenham.
Capped 51 times by England, the striker returned for another spell with the Gunners last week after her contract with San Diego Wave expired.
Taylor, who scored 10 goals in 17 appearances for the club during an injury-hit spell between 2016-17, is short of match fitness and may have a restricted role.
But head coach Jonas Eidevall said: “Is she available tomorrow? Yes, she is.
“We have to be realistic, she hasn’t played for quite a while.
“She has practiced on her own, she’s done a brilliant job here, but she hasn’t practiced in a team environment for quite some time.
“We need to give her time as well but we can see her as a player who impacts our culture and our environment in a positive way.”
The Gunners have been short of forward options since losing Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema to season-ending knee injuries late last year.
Eidevall’s side followed up their 4-0 home win against Reading on March 12 by losing the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final 1-0 against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
They sit fourth in the table, five points behind WSL leaders Chelsea and three adrift of both Manchester clubs.
Tottenham are ninth and, after sacking manager Rehanne Skinner earlier this month, ended a run of nine straight league defeats last week by beating Leicester 1-0 in interim boss Vicky Jepson’s first game in charge.
Jepson, who confirmed Canada defender Shelina Zadorsky will miss the match through illness, said: “The derby brings a special occasion, so both teams will want to put on a display for fans and the younger generation of fans.
“There’s zero pressure on us. No one’s expecting Tottenham to win.
“We’re the underdogs and when you’re the underdogs it gives you that extra motivation to try and surprise people.”
