Manchester City and England forward Ellen White says lockdown has made her appreciate life outside football.

White has had plenty of time away from the game since the Women’s Super League was suspended and then cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. 

She told City’s website: “I think more so than anything for me it [lockdown] has been about chatting more to family and friends and checking in a bit more.

“That has been a big one. You don’t realise how much you appreciate going out and seeing your loved ones and friends and catching up with them. 

“That’s one thing that will hopefully remain – the communication and chatting that will carry over. My career and life have been surrounded by football and, as much as I do love it, there is so much more to life that maybe I haven’t seen before.”

She has now been playing at City for a year after signing in July 2019 from Birmingham City. In that time she helped them to a second place finish in the WSL this season.

She added her ‘main priority’ at the club is to contribute to the team.

"To be part of Manchester City is a real privilege and it has been great so far.

“I hope people can see how much passion I have for the game and how much I love playing for City and if I contribute in any way to the team, that’s my main priority."

White should be back in action for City in early September as the WSL aims to return for next season.