IFEOMA DIEKE hopes to return from a bad eye injury to help Scotland maintain their 100 per cent Euro 2017 qualifying record against Macedonia at the newly-named Paisley 2021 Stadium tomorrow.
The opponents are Macedonia, who the Scots easily saw off with a 4-1 win in Skopje last month – a trip Dieke was forced to miss because of her eye problem. The 34-year-old central defender has not taken part in competitive action since October 18 when her club Vittsjo played their last match of the Swedish season.
"I took a ball to the eye a couple of months ago in a league game and it caused a lot of problems," the 107-time capped defender said. "I had some bleeding in behind my retina and bruising behind that. I had to see four eye specialists and was given drops. Obviously, they recommended rest as well, but it was an important time for my club so I played through it.
"The eye has taken a while to finally settle down but I'm hopefully over it now. Physically I feel good. I know how I respond after a lay-off, so I'm pretty confident that if selected I'll do a job."
Dieke's replacement in the previous two games, the former Glasgow City defender Eilish McSorley, is herself out with a foot injury. That means Dieke is likely to return to partner Jennifer Beattie in the heart of the defence.
Although missing the corresponding fixture in Skopje, Dieke has first-hand knowledge of Macedonia's one top-class player, their 21-year-old captain Natasa Andonova. She plays for the Swedish champions Rosengard, where she is a prolific goalscorer alongside players of the quality of Brazilian star Marta.
"When Vittsjo have played against Rosengard she's been on the right, on the left and up top. With Macedonia she plays the No.10 role," Dieke said.
"I'm pretty well in tune with her game and she's never scored against me. I try to keep her on the right foot, because her left is brilliant and very dangerous. She's also clinical with free kicks outside the penalty area."
Beattie and Kim Little have returned from Melbourne City for tomorrow's game, while Lisa Evans is also playing regularly for Bayern Munich. Most of the other players haven't seen action for at least three weeks because the Scottish, English and Swedish seasons have all ended.
The new Scotland pink away strip will get its first airing at St Mirren's ground.
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