Ellie Roebuck has admitted she has had a "tough few months" after losing her place in the Manchester City side.
Roebuck, 24, was City's first-choice goalkeeper throughout last season, but youngster Khiara Keating has started every WSL game this year. She was struggling to make the matchday squad at one point and although in recent weeks the former Sheffield United player has returned to the bench, she has yet to play a competitive game this season.
The Sheffield-born stopper was England's No.2 behind Mary Earps at the World Cup finals in the summer and was also part of the Euro 2022 winning squad. A year prior to that Roebuck played every game for Team GB at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where the team reached the quarter-finals.
Her lack of action at club level looks set to continue in the short-term with 19-year-old Keating in excellent form for Gareth Taylor's team. But Roebuck is not yet giving up on winning back her place in the City side.
"Yeah it's been tough," Roebuck told Sky Sports. "I make no bones about it. It has been a pretty tough few months of the season.
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"I've just my head down and am working as hard as I can to support the team. All I can control is working hard.
"For me I want to be playing football of course. That's my job, that's my passion, I want to be playing."
Roebuck's lack of game time at club level has led to speculation she could leave the Academy Stadium in January. The City keeper has also lost her place in the national set-up, with Sarina Wiegman shuffling her goalkeeping pack.
Ellie Roebuck (centre) went to the World Cup as England's second-choice keeper behind Mary Earps (Naomi Baker)Keating and Hannah Hampton were called-up for the Lionesses for the recent Nations League fixtures with Netherlands and Scotland, while Roebuck missed out. And with Emily Ramsey impressing for the under-23s, Roebucks chances of competing with Earps in 2024 look slim. The City keeper admitted that her international prospects are a hugely motivating factor.
"It is a huge priority (to get back in the England squad) definitely," added Roebuck. "It's the greatest honour to be part of the national team.
"It was really tough for me not to make the last camp. So I think that is obviously on my mind, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't, because for me it is super important.
"It's always an honour and privilege to be part of the Lionesses."
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