Arsenal midfielder Jordan Nobbs made a significant step in her return from injury by playing for 20 minutes of a behind closed doors friendly against West Ham yesterday.

The Gunners defeated Mark Beard’s side at London Colney as they continued their preparations for the new season. But the highlight of the day was a substitute appearance for Jordan Nobbs, her first action since rupturing her cruciate ligament last November.

WHAT A SIGHT ?@JordanNobbs8 back on the field in a behind-closed-doors friendly yesterday ? Keep pushing, Jordan ♥️ pic.twitter.com/Q8GKlu6wxb — Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) August 19, 2019

The injury caused her to miss the World Cup, but she is returning to fitness just as Arsenal’s defence of their WSL title kicks off.

The match was watched by Dan Carter, who has just suffered her second ACL injury in 15 months, sporting a jersey with Jordan’s name and squad number on the back- a nod to a gesture Nobbs made upon Carter’s initial comeback from injury.

Arsenal play their final pre-season friendly against Tottenham at Boreham Wood on Sunday at 2pm. A small number of tickets remain for this fixture, available here.