Daly ‘open’ to loan spell back in England

Rachel Daly, the England forward who captained Houston Dash to their first domestic title last month, has revealed she is “open” to a loan spell in the Women’s Super League.

Daly played an instrumental role in helping Dash win the Challenge Cup on July 26 as women’s football became the first elite team sport to resume in the United States since the pandemic.

Dash overcame Chicago Red Stars 2-0 in the final to win the oneoff competition in Salt Lake City, Utah, with Harrogate-born Daly claiming three goals and two assists in the month-long tournament.

That was enough for the 28-yearold to be awarded the Golden Boot, having already been named most valuable player for the standalone competition.

With America’s elite women’s league now facing an eight-month hiatus before returning in April, Daly, who has 35 England caps, hinted at the possibility of linking

Lift off: Rachel Daly (right), of Houston Dash, has not ruled out a move to the WSL when the season restarts next month up with a side in the WSL, which is set to begin the 2020-21 campaign next month.

“There might be a loan opportunity for a few months until January. I can’t not play for eight months,” Daly told BBC Sport. “I’d be open to going anywhere and having a new experience. If I don’t go on loan, the Dash will continue training and the league are looking at friendlies. But it will be a long eight months.”

Daly, who studied at St John’s University in New York before signing for Houston in 2016, has previously toyed with the idea of moving back to England, having received offers from WSL clubs.

“It’s always at the back of my mind but it has to feel right and I have to feel ready. My life has been in the US for the past eight years. I’ve matured and grown up here,” she said.

Fixtures for the WSL and Women’s Championship seasons will be announced on Friday.