Bailey signs up for rest of season

JADE BAILEY has joined Reading on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season.

The 23-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, made her Royals debut as a late substitute during Sunday’s defeat against Birmingham.

Bailey began her professional football career at Arsenal and started the victorious 2014 FA Cup final for the Gunners.

She made the switch across London to Chelsea in 2016 but suffered a big setback in April 2017, picking up an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

But she is now ready for a return to regular action.

“I always knew when it got to this stage of my injury comeback that I wanted to go on loan and get game time,” said Bailey.

“When Kelly (Chambers) came in for me I knew that’s what I wanted to do.

“I can play centre-back or holding midfield so I’m quite versatile. I think I’m calm and composed and I know that Reading like to play out from the back so I think that’s what I can bring to the team, getting on the ball and looking to play forward.”

READING WOMEN have been drawn at home against non-league Keynsham Town in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

All Super League sides including Reading join at this last 32 stage and Chambers’ charges will be fully expected to progress against their fourth tier opponents.

While this will be the first round the Royals enter, Keynsham have already defeated Swindon Town, Southampton Saints, AFC Bournemouth, C & K Basildon and Fylde to reach this stage.

The game will take place at Adams Park on the weekend of February 2/3.