The goalkeeper returned to first-team action for the first time in over ten months last week-end as a second-half substitute in Sunderland’s 4-0 Premier League defeat at Everton. It marked another milestone in the 20-year-old’s return to action after a knee ligament injury which has sidelined her since the end of last season, when the Wearsiders won the Northern Division championship.

In Alderson’s absence, deputy Rachael Laws has stepped up the mark and performed superbly as Sunderland stormed to the top of the Premier League. For Alderson, though, just getting game time will be a major bonus after her long rehabilitation. "It’s great to be back!" she beamed. "I’ve played two games for the reserves and then got on for the first team against Everton. "They were brilliant for my confidence. It feels like I’ve never been away!"

"In the Leicester game, I just went in to make a save and landed awkwardly," she explained. "It hurt – but not as much as after the operation! The early months were probably the worst because I was in a leg brace and just couldn’t do anything. I’m usually a very busy person, but I was left at home having to put my feet up. It was so frustrating.”

"As the weeks and months went on, I just looked forward to whatever the next stage of recovery was, even if it was just changing direction when running, or bouncing on a trampoline to help with balance."

Ironically, the injury has given Helen – who is studying sports science at Northumbria University – an insight into her future. "I have almost completed my first year, which has been a big help while I have been out of action," she explained. "I hope to become a strength conditioning coach; the sort of thing that the people who have helped me do. They did such a fantastic job for me, and I would like to do the same for other people."

Now back in full training, and feeling totally confident in her knee, Helen now faces her next challenge – winning back a first-team place. "I always knew that Rachael would do an excellent job once she got the chance. We have trained together since we were kids, so I knew how good she was," she added. "All I can do now is train as hard as I can and give the manager a decision to make. "I’m loving being back in the thick of things. It’s just a shame the season’s almost over."