Sonia Bompastor says defender Naomi Girma is likely to make her Chelsea debut after February’s international break.

Girma became the most expensive signing in women’s football history when she joined the Women’s Super League champions from San Diego Wave for £900,000 in January.

However, the 24-year-old has yet to make her debut for the Blues because of injury and she has not been called up by United States manager Emma Hayes for the SheBelieves Cup.

Asked when Girma is likely to feature, Bompastor said: “Probably will be back after the international break.

“She’s practicing with us this week, she’s in a really good place, close to [a] comeback but maybe not this weekend.”

Chelsea’s face Leicester on 5 March in their first WSL game after the international break.

Here are more key lines from Bompator’s news conference before Chelsea host Everton on Sunday (14:00 GMT kick-off):

• The rest of the squad are available, including Lucy Bronze who has missed the last three games because of a calf injury.

• They need to be cautious around Lauren James’ return from injury, but it is “nice to see LJ back on the pitch”.

• She expects the game against Everton to be “completely different” from their 4-1 FA Cup win over the Toffees on Sunday.

• Bompastor is “really glad” the verdict of Sam Kerr’s trial was positive and said their would be no further disciplinary action.

• She could not give a “precise time frame” for Kerr’s return.

• Chelsea are “already preparing” for their quadruple-header against Manchester City next month when they meet four times within the space of 12 days.