An ever-present in black and white this season, having started all 11 WSL2 games, Cooper has been a leader at the back for United, even popping up with a goal in a crucial moment during the Tyne-Wear derby victory at St. James' Park.

After a slow start to the campaign, Newcastle are now level on points with Bristol City Women, who occupy the third and final potential promotion spot into the Women's Super League.

"I think we're going into the new year in a good position," Cooper said when reflecting on the first half of the season.

"We've put ourselves in a good position for when we come back in January, so for us, it's all about kicking on in the new year and keep looking up the table.

"We know that when we come back in the new year, it's going to be a really big second half of the season as we look to move up into the promotion places, which ultimately is our goal as a club."

As well as starting every game in the league this season, Cooper was also handed the captain's armband for United's recent Adobe Women's FA Cup victory against Liverpool Feds.

That's just one of the ways she’s been handed more responsibilities under manager Tanya Oxtoby, and Cooper is relishing the task.

"I love playing here," Cooper said with delight. "I've been learning and playing a different role under Tanya, which I've been adapting to over the last few games.

"I just want to keep enjoying my football and keep doing what we're doing as a team at the moment, which is winning games.

"I'm already looking forward to coming back in 2026 and continuing to push on as a club to achieve the goals and targets that we've set out for ourselves."