Donnelly: It's important that we get as many people as we can there

"If you're not travelling down to the men's game (at Wolves), there's no reason why you can't come and put on your black and white shirt for us as well," she said, as she prepares to lead her team-mates out at the 10,000-capacity venue for the Lady Magpies' first competitive home match of the season.

"The support we have had has been absolutely amazing. I can't thank the fans enough for how much they have given us.

"The first time we played at Kingston Park (against Ipswich Town Women last season), we couldn't believe it. We were so proud. And then at St. James Park, to go out and play in front of so many people and so many fans (was amazing). It was great to see so many young fans there supporting. It was really heart-warming and gives us that extra push going into the 90 minutes of football.

"I think it’s important that we get as many people as we can there (on Sunday)."

Becky Langley's side enter the highly anticipated fixture having achieved victory in the opening weekend of the season, defeating Merseyrail Ladies in Liverpool on Sunday.

The win gave Newcastle Women their first three points in the 2022/23 FA Women's National League Division One North, as they aim to go one better than last season's second-placed finish this term.

"I think it's really important that we started the season with a win," said Donnelly. "I think it's been quite a tough pre-season. The calibre of players that we have played against has been a big challenge for us, so to be back in league action was really important.

"We needed to make sure that we earned three points and created positive momentum going into our first home game."

Three of Langley's summer signings featured on the opening day, with Daisy Burt, Freya Bailes and Ellie Dobson all being given their competitive Lady Magpies bows.

"They've been great," Donnelly said of the new arrivals. "We've gone out and recruited some really strong players and it's always great to add that extra strength into the squad.

"It's nice to have a balance of young raw players as well as that mixture of experience."

While she featured in Newcastle Women's most recent match at Kingston Park - the Women's FA Cup clash with Ipswich last season - Sunday's fixture will be Donnelly's first competitive home match since being named captain in the summer.

"To be walking out and leading the team out, it just fills me with pride," she said. "I've been a Newcastle fan all my life, growing up, going to the stadium. So to follow in my heroes' footsteps is amazing."

Tickets for the game will be available on the gate, priced at £3 for adults and £1 juniors and concessions. Newcastle United Women season tickets, including all home league and cup games, are priced at £30 for adults and £15 for juniors and concessions, and are available to buy here.

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC