The pair are in the Netherlands for the first leg of Chelsea's quarter-final against Ajax. Cuthbert, one of those to have worn the captain’s armband in the absence of Millie Bright, was chosen to accompany Emma Hayes at the pre-match media conference.

Our long-serving Scotland international was asked there about Macario who has had an instant impact with goals from the bench after nearly two years out of action. The serious knee injury was sustained before joining Chelsea last summer.

‘From the moment she came to the club, we really clicked,’ revealed Cuthbert. ‘I actually knew her before and she did say how much she would love to play with me, so I'm glad that we finally got to make that happen, that we're finally getting that opportunity.

‘It's been a long time [that she was out]. She's never lost her smile in the dressing room despite going through one of the roughest times that I've seen a player go through since I've been at the club.

‘So hats off to her for the way she's handled herself. She deserves every little bit of success and praise that she's getting at the moment because she's kept her head down and worked hard, even in the dark days.’

Hayes has reported Macario is not far away from being able to start a game. That adds to the depth of the Chelsea squad that has been key to maintaining a challenge in all competitions, and has resulted in success in past years.

‘Over my course of being at Chelsea, I've been on both sides of the depth, one where I'm heavily involved and playing every game and then another where I haven't been,’ explained Cuthbert.

‘As a player, you just need to keep your head on it. There are so many games throughout the season and that's the beauty of playing for Chelsea and being in all four competitions at this point in the season, that we've been in for so many years.

‘You just have to stay on it,’ emphasised the 25-year-old. ‘You have to be present, even when you feel like maybe you're not getting the minutes that you deserve. I certainly have felt that over the years, and Emma knows that I've been in the office quite a few times.

‘But you need to keep your head down and you need to keep working hard and remember that your opportunities come, and when they do come you have to be ready. That's what Emma has told me. You have to be ready as you will get an opportunity. One time it will be your moment and it's going to be everyone's moment across the season at some point.’

For those whose moment it is at this present time, with the squad relatively stretched due to injuries, they are grateful the most recent game, the thrilling night against Arsenal, was staged on Friday rather than Saturday ahead of this week’s next big challenge.

‘An extra day is really important for a player, more time for the legs to recover for sure,’ said Cuthbert.

‘Most of all it was like a mental reset over the weekend. I had my family down as well. Football can get really intense sometimes and you've got so many games back to back and every game matters.

'Winning every game is an expectation at Chelsea and one that I absolutely relish, but it can get on top of you. So it was so nice to be able to switch off and everyone's come back fresh and ready to go again.’

• The Champions League quarter-final will be decided at Stamford Bridge next week - and you can be there!