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Soulsby 'over the moon' after injury return
Written by Joseph Nelson
Newcastle United Women winger Anna Soulsby says that stepping out onto the Kingston Park pitch for the Magpies was "surreal," as she made her long-awaited return after 16 months out of action with a knee injury.
Soulsby joined the fray in the second half of Newcastle's 4-2 FA Women's National League Division One North triumph over York City Ladies on Sunday, receiving much applause from the 4,129 supporters in attendance.
Becky Langley's side came from behind to defeat the visitors on the day, and Soulsby says it was "amazing" to be back playing in the black and white stripes.
"After a long 16 months out, I am absolutely over the moon to be back, especially with how well we all played as a team," she told nufc.co.uk. "I felt I had a real impact on the game which feels amazing for my first game back.
"It was absolutely surreal (walking out), seeing the sea of black and white in front of me and hearing the screaming and cheering of my family behind me.
"Becky said to me that I had not been waiting 16 months to not make an impact on this game. I came on, motivated, and did this. I made my team proud."
Soulsby was understandably delighted to achieve a positive result in her first appearance for the Magpies since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2021.
Now that she's back, the winger says she's out to prove her quality, maintaining that her primary aim for the remainder of the season is to achieve success with Newcastle.
"To close the gap between us and Durham Cestria and keep chasing them for the top spot (was brilliant)," she said.
"I also want to prove to everyone that I'm still capable of being the player I was before.
"I aim to keep working on my weaknesses so I can be a regular starter, but most importantly, the target as a team is for us to get promoted."
Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC
"Becky (Langley) said to me that I had not been waiting 16 months to not make an impact on this game. I came on, motivated, and did this. I made my team proud."