The Lasses travel to face Sheffield United Women on Saturday evening (kick-off 6pm GMT) for their first game since a 2-1 win at home to Portsmouth Women on 15th February.

Newcastle currently sit two points off the top three and only two points off an automatic promotion spot, with three games in eight days coming up for Oxtoby's side.

Here are some of the main talking points from Oxtoby's pre-match interview…

ON RETURNING TO WSL2 ACTION…

“It feels like it’s been forever, and I think everyone is excited for the games to start again. It’s been nice to get some work in with the players.

“The last two days have been difficult with the weather, but it’s been good.”

ON SHEFFIELD UNITED…

“This is massively important, and I think we’ve seen from the results in the league that there are no easy games, and we’ve been reiterating that all week that we need to be at our best.

“No game in this league is an easy game; we’re away from home after a break, so we must knuckle down and put in a good performance.

“It’s hard to know what they’re going to do with a change of management. We’re focusing on ourselves and will treat the game with respect and look to go down there and put in a good performance.”

ON MORGAN GAUTRAT’S RETURN…

“It’s been a long journey for her, so it’s nice to have her back.

“She’s an important part of what we’re trying to do in terms of her leadership and experience, so it’s nice to have her back in and around the girls.”

ON KAITLYN TORPEY ON INTERNATIONAL DUTY…

“The game (Australia Women vs DPR Korea Women) was on in the office, so we’re following her journey, and we’re really pleased for her that she continues.

“It would be nice to have her back, but for her and the journey she’s on with the national team, we’re really pleased for her.”