Toni Duggan returns to Everton training after giving birth

Everton forward Toni Duggan has returned to training at Finch Farm following the birth of her first child.

Duggan, who returned to Merseyside in 2021 following spells with Manchester City, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, gave birth to daughter Luella in March. She didn't feature at all for the Blues last term, however she has now joined up with Brian Sorensen's squad for pre-season training.

Posting on Instagram, Duggan shared a snap of herself alongside defender Elise Stenevik, with the caption: "Pre season day 1 - Good to be back with the girls."

Duggan is the first Women’s Super League player to benefit from new maternity cover, following a landmark move by the Football Association last year. The move enables female players benefit from maternity and long-term sickness cover for the first time and was lauded as a “great step forward” by the Sunderland Central MP, Julie Elliott.

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However, speaking to the ECHO last year, Duggan expressed her incredulity at the amount of time it took for the measures to be introduced.

“I find it crazy that it’s only just been put in place now. How can that be?”, she said. “I do feel for the girls that have gone before and been without that - the likes of Katie Chapman and other players as well.

“I’m willing to have conversations and make the pathway a lot clearer for other girls that maybe do want to feel more comfortable, or if it’s unplanned and it happens, they’re supported from day one.”

Duggan was also vocal about her desire to return to the pitch, adding: “I've got a big journey ahead but my ambition is definitely to come back