LONDON, United Kingdom (CMC) — Manager Gareth Taylor has hailed Reggae Girl Khadija Shaw’s “influential” role at Manchester City, as the club looks to kick-start their season when they face Bristol City on Sunday.

The 26-year-old six-footer scored her first goal of the new campaign on Wednesday to help City beat Everton 2-1 in the FA Women’s League Cup, in what was her first start of the season.

And Shaw is expected to start again when unbeaten City host the Robins at Academy Stadium, as she chases her first goal of the Women’s Super League.

“She’s such an influential and a player the team looks to in terms of setting off everything we do — whether it be attacking or without the ball,” Taylor said.

“She brings so much with her personality and the quality she has.

“It’s fantastic to have her back and nice for her to get off the mark so early in the season.”

Shaw bagged 31 goals in all competitions last season to emerge as City’s Player of the Season, as the club finished fourth in the league.

She then endured a busy summer, turning out for Jamaica at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as the Caribbean side reached the round of 16 before bowing out to Colombia.

Shaw also featured in the two-legged Women’s Gold Cup qualifying play-off against Canada last month, turning out in the 2-0 defeat in Kingston but going as an unused substitute in the second leg in Toronto four days later.

Taylor said Shaw needed to be managed properly upon returning from international duty, which saw her miss the opener against West Ham, and come off the bench against Chelsea, before starting and playing for an hour against Everton.

“Bunny had an unfortunate issue when she came back from Jamaica,” Taylor said.

“The season she had last year, and playing the role she did against Everton the other night, she created Jess Park’s goal and scored before we took her off.”

City lie third in the Women’s Super League standings on four points.