Taylor on Aleixandri, Greenwood, Hemp and Shaw's derby availability | OneFootball

Gareth Taylor has provided an update on Laia Aleixandri, Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp ahead of this Sunday’s Manchester derby.

City welcome United to the Etihad Stadium at 18:45 (UK), with just one point separating the sides in the Barclays Women’s Super League table ahead of kick-off.

But the Blues will have to maintain local bragging rights without England duo Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp as their respective knee injury recoveries continue.

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Top scorer Shaw will also miss the tie, but the boss expects the Jamaican’s return to be ‘imminent’, while Aleixandri is set to feature.

“Laia played in the previous games against Everton and Barcelona,” Taylor said.

“We looked at just trying to get her back into good shape and that meant that last half an hour when we could get Viv [Miedema] on as well. Laia is fine and manages herself well.

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“Outside of that, Alex and Lauren are in a good place, we know their return isn't immediate.

“Bunny is a lot closer though and pretty imminent. We’re just trying to make sure we check off a few markers the medical team need to be happy with for her to be ready for this busy period.

“This weekend will be too soon but she’s starting to move closer to the next couple games.”

City go into the second half of the season fighting on all four fronts for silverware.

A win against United would provide our WSL prospects a major boost, with the Blues currently six points off the summit, before we face our rivals again in the League Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday 22 January.

An FA Cup fifth round showdown with Leicester also beckons next month, as well as a UEFA Champions League quarter-final in March.

It’s a demanding but exciting position for City to be in, and the objective is simple for Taylor and his side.

He explained: “It’s what we want to do. It’s what we’re here for, to win.

“We know how difficult it is to achieve with many other teams wanting to do that too. Competition levels are high.

“The draw in the League Cup is a difficult tie and route but that can happen. To win any competition you have to do that. For us it’s a good challenge.

“In the second half of the season, all competitions are still alive for us and we’re looking forward to taking on that challenge.

“With getting some of these players back, we’ll be in a much better place with the players back.”