Gemma Donnelly admits a stop-start fixture list has made momentum hard to build as they take another break from league action this week.

They host Liverpool in the Women’s FA Cup at Bamber Bridge on Sunday (1pm) looking to build on a 2-1 Championship victory over Charlton Athletic last weekend.

That was a first fixture of any sort since December 8 after the winter break and Rovers already have three games in hand on some of their league rivals.

That is what made the win over bottom side Charlton so important, climbing from second bottom to seventh with a vital three points.

Donnelly has eyes on establishing Rovers in the second tier, and admits the FA Cup isn’t their biggest priority, facing a Liverpool side who operate in the Super League. The Reds beat Rovers 6-0 in the Continental Cup earlier this season, and will go in to the game as heavy favourites.

And boss Donnelly is concerned about another break from league action, with her focus being on the visit of Durham on Sunday, February 2.

“We don’t seem to get any momentum in the league because of the different competitions but this season is about remaining in this division,” she said.

“We could do without another cup competition but to be involved in the Women’s FA Cup is very exciting and to come across Liverpool again.

“While we’ll do our best, it’s not our priority this season. And I think we have to be realistic when coming up against Liverpool.

“Ultimately, we’ll look forward to returning to league action at home to Durham next week.”

The deadline for transfers past yesterday, with Rovers adding to their squad, bringing in right back Ellie Fletcher.

She could be set for a quick reunion with former club Liverpool this weekend, should the 20-year-old make her debut on Sunday.

Fletcher is no stranger to the division, having had two separate loan spells with Sheffield United, and admits the decision to join Rovers was an easy one to make.

“I’m really excited to get started,” Fletcher said.

“It’s just important for me to get game time and I think this is the right place to come.

“Gemma’s a fantastic manager and the team are doing well so it was just a really good fit for me. It didn’t take much to convince me

“Gemma just said that she’d love to have me at the club, think I’ll add versatility and experience and that we can push on. Hopefully I can help to do that.”

She teams up with fellow ex-Red Missy Bo Kearns who joined Rovers earlier this month.

And on the prospect of facing her former side so quickly, Fletcher said: “It’ll be weird but it’ll be really good. I’m excited for the game.

“It’s a really good challenge to come up against Liverpool who are in the league above but I think we’re more than capable of getting a result out of it.

“And it will be nice to see some familiar faces for sure.”

A Natasha Flint brace saw Rovers come from behind to beat the Addicks last weekend, a third league win in 10 matches.

They have played the fewest games in the division, and will certainly be looking to stabilise at this level after finally being granted promotion by the FA in the summer.

And midfielder Lauren Thomas said that made last weekend’s win so important.

She said: “We went back in the changing room at half-time and the girls all spoke from the heart.

“There were a few harsh words, but we can all take it on board.

“We stay together as a team. We work hard, we won balls in the second half that we didn’t in the first. That changed the game.

“It helps us move up the table and we’ve got to keep pushing on now. We’ve got games in hand, this was our first game of the year, so a chance to get some good results and push up the table.”

Tickets for the FA Cup tie are priced at £5 for adults, £3 for seniors and 18-25-year-olds.