Nobbs says promotion would be 'job done' in career

Jordan Nobbs has 71 caps for England and won 12 major trophies during an illustrious career with Arsenal.

But the midfielder says if she were to help Newcastle United gain promotion to the Women's Super League for the first time, it would be "job done" in her career.

The 33-year-old was their marquee signing last year and made a solid start to life in the second tier as Newcastle finished sixth.

Nobbs was born in Durham and began her career at Sunderland but like many current and former Lionesses, she had to move south as the game professionalised.

"I've always said it would be like job done, it really would," she told BBC Sport.

"There wouldn't be many tick boxes that I think I could possibly do. As soon as I heard from Newcastle [I knew] that is exactly what I wanted to do.

"To get a North East team - which we all had to leave back in the day - promoted, it would be an achievement that I would love to have. We're praying it happens."

Nobbs says "too many draws" held Newcastle back last season but they are not hiding their ambitions this time around after a busy transfer window.

Under boss Tanya Oxtoby, who previously managed Northern Ireland and worked with Emma Hayes at Chelsea, Nobbs believes they are improving.

"I know we said it last season but I've always said things don't happen overnight. We had a lot of changes," added Nobbs.

"But [promotion] is our goal and you have to say that out loud. A lot of stuff we did last season, we don't want to go too far away from."

Nobbs is also embracing her responsibilities off the pitch and says her team-mates joke that she is considered a "legend" in women's football.

"I try to still be myself but obviously give as much experience as I can off the pitch. I've played a lot of games now so you do want to listen to that," said Nobbs.

"The girls straight away made jokes about me being a legend so they kind of made it a nice feeling rather than a pressure thing.

"It just allowed me to step into that type of role. There's a balance of not being too over the top because I've still got to perform."

Newcastle's season kicks off at home to Wolves on 6 September (14:00 BST).