The Blues were last in action on October 15, producing a dominant performance to defeat Paris FC in the UEFA Women's Champions League. A long international break followed that fixture, with 18 Chelsea players away representing their countries.

Bompastor confirmed at her pre-match press conference that all have returned unscathed to Cobham over the past 24 hours. The Blues head coach also explained how the two-and-a-half week gap between fixtures has been beneficial for Girma.

‘There is positive news because everyone has returned fit and healthy from the international break – and we also have Naomi back in the group,' Bompastor explained.

‘Naomi is a top-class player and we want to have all of those players on the pitch. We want to enjoy watching them play and she's an important player for us. I'm hoping that she will now be able to stay on the pitch for as long as possible.’

Girma had been undergoing her rehabilitation alongside Lauren James, with the latter yet to feature for Chelsea this season after sustaining an injury while helping England win this summer’s Women’s European Championship.

Lucy Bronze was also sidelined after that tournament but returned to action prior to the international break and netted on her birthday for England against Australia in midweek.

‘We had a really good international break here at Cobham with the players who stayed with us,' explained Bompastor. 'LJ is doing really well. She just had a small setback. Maybe the original plan was for her to be moving towards the squad this weekend. We'll have to wait a few more weeks, but not too long.

‘I’m really delighted for Lucy. She got some minutes before she left for the international break, and she was already in a good place. We have really good communication with England, and we always put the players’ needs first to provide what they need. I’m glad she was able to perform as well.’

Sam Kerr made her long-awaited return to action for Australia during the international break and started for the Matildas against Wales and England.

Bompastor has carefully managed the striker's minutes since she made her comeback against Aston Villa in September, but now feels the striker is in contention for a starting place for the Blues.

‘I think it was good for Sam to go back with Australia and to play many minutes with them,' she continued. 'She played more than 60 minutes each time. For what she needed, it was really good. Right now, I know she's in a good place to be able to start a game.

'Like with England, we also have a good relationship with Australia, and we communicate with each other. We did what was best for Sam. Sometimes, when you have friendly games, the result is less important, and it gives you more opportunities to give minutes to players. I think Sam did well.’

There was a slight concern for Chelsea striker Aggie Beever-Jones on Tuesday when, after scoring England’s opener against Australia, she was substituted with an apparent problem before the final whistle.

The Chelsea Academy graduate explained after the game that the issue wasn't serious, and Bompastor confirmed Beever-Jones would be fit to face London City.

‘Aggie is good,’ she continued. ‘She just got a dead leg. We managed her a little bit, but she was fully fit in the training session today and she’ll be fit for the game tomorrow.’

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