Skinner provides team news update before West Ham clash

Having beaten Reading 4-0 in our opening game of the new campaign last time out, the Reds will be looking to follow up our triumph with another strong performance against the Hammers in Dagenham. 

With striker Rachel Williams and defender Aoife Mannion set to be absent once more, Skinner also indicated that summer signing Grace Clinton could also miss the trip to the capital on Sunday.

''Currently Grace Clinton may be be out this weekend as she picked up a cold in the week and missed a couple of days of training, so, just for balance and safety for her, she could miss the weekend,'' he began, speaking at his pre-match press conference earlier today.

''Rachel [Williams] again is looking at another couple of weeks and she will be ready soon as she is on the grass and is now going through her rehab.

''Aoife [Mannion]: I think we are probably looking at the games to be ready in January for Aoife, but she is progressing really nicely and she has been excellent in her rehab. She's ready when she is ready, but it's looking positive in terms of her kind of reaction to the training stimulus.''

Bidding to make it two wins from two so far this season, United were in blistering from at LSV last time out, scoring four times inside the opening 35 minutes to blow away Reading early on.

Maya Le Tissier (2), Katie Zelem and Alessia Russo were all on target for Skinner's side, with a record-breaking crowd at Leigh cheering on United last weekend.

Looking to build upon any early momentum won't be east against the Hammers, who themselves enjoyed opening day success against Everton, thanks to a Lisa Evans goal in their 1-0 win.

''West Ham were ruthless [last week] and they were really attacking down the sides, a little bit direct at times but that's not a negative as they are really good at it and Dagny [Brynjarsdottir] is great in the air as she has the ability to head the ball on for the speed in behind,'' added Skinner.

''Their forward line looked bright, looked dangerous and their backline with [Hawa] Cissoko is good in the one-versus-one areas.

''Lucy [Parker] builds up a little better with the ball but has great ability there. I think they are good and I have no doubt that we have to be on our mettle against them this weekend.

''We went there last year and took a draw from it through the horrific weather conditions but we have to go there and play a very tough team at their home ground. It will be very good to go and win the game.''