Beth Cobden ready to return after injury fightback

The 27-year-old – part of the 2018 Commonwealth Games-winning team – is part of a 15-player Roses squad who will face the Jamaica Sunshine Girls in a four-match series next month.

She has twice ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament – ruining her 2018 Superleague grand final for Loughborough Lightning, and then her spell Down Under with Adelaide Thunderbirds after just three games.

Cobden – who grew up in Heath Hayes, Cannock – returned to Loughborough earlier this year and will now be looking to win her 27th cap for England.

Speaking upon her return to the Lightning, she said: “It is obviously going to be a big challenge getting back on the court. I have had two years where I have hardly played,” she said.

“I just want to get back fit. I am always competitive and always want to win.

“Lockdown was good timing for me and my injury process, it gave me that extra bit of time to recover and rest.

“Now I’m really looking forward to getting back into the mix of things and stepping up my training over the next few months.”

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the England-Jamaica series will be played behind closed doors on January 22, 24, 26 and 28 with strict Covid testing and protocols in place as per Government guidance relating to elite sport, with player and staff safety paramount.

The Roses, who are currently placed third in the world, will be battling the Sunshine Girls for the Jean Hornsby Cup, named in celebration of the first Black England netball player and all her achievements on the court.

Commenting on the squad, Roses head coach Jess Thirlby said: “I am very pleased to be sharing the names of the players selected to compete in the Vitality Netball Legends Series.

“We have got an exciting team heading into this series, with some big names like Serena Guthrie, Helen Housby, Jade Clarke, Fran Williams and Natalie Haythornthwaite who competed in the Vitality Netball World Cup in 2019 in the line-up, plus we’ll see the return of Layla Guscoth and Beth Cobden on court after overcoming injury.

“This series provides the opportunity to continue to test existing and new combinations as well as create connections between our rising stars and the more experienced players, some, returning for the first time since the World Cup in Liverpool which I know we have been eagerly awaiting.

“Getting to play New Zealand in November was a big opportunity for us and we’re grateful to get another chance to play a top-ranking team, this time on home soil.

“A Vitality Roses v Jamaica clash never fails to disappoint and has, in the past led to some of the most competitive matches in global netball.

“It is great to see the strength of the side that forms the touring group from Jamaica, which will demand from us the highest levels of performance needed to win on the international stage.

“It plays a significant part in our preparations for Birmingham and beyond and we can’t wait to get back on court and to look ahead to 2021 and beyond.”

Serena Guthrie and Natalie Haythornthwaite will co-captain the team.

Natalie Haythornthwaite added: “It is an honour to step back on court alongside fellow Vitality Roses teammates and wear the iconic red dress again, not only to get more international experience under our belts as a team, but to also shine a spotlight on our sport and give our fans something to look forward to after the events of the last year.

“The last time we played Jamaica was in the Vitality Netball Nations Cup last January and they didn’t fail to show what a strong and fierce side they are, we’re really looking forward to the opportunity and to stepping out on court against them again. It’s going to be a great chance to test ourselves on the international stage and build towards a home Commonwealth Games in 2022.”