Toni Duggan is one of the leading lights in the Everton Ladies side who are due to take on their counterparts from Arsenal at the Moss Rose next week in the FA Women's Community Shield. To find out a little more about Toni and assess the mood in the Toffee's camp in the build up to the season's curtain raiser we caught up with Toni for a quick question and answer session earlier this week.

The FA Women's Community Shield is a repeat of last season's FA Tesco Women's Premier League Cup Final as Everton take on Arsenal. After claiming the club's first piece of silverware for ten years, how important is it that you add to that on 7 August?

I think it's really important that we build on last season's success and after pushing Arsenal so close in the title-race, if we win the Community Shield, it could lead to a very interesting season.

You played the final 13 minutes of that Final victory over Arsenal last season. How much confidence has that victory given the club going into the new campaign?

It gave everyone at the club a massive boost and for me, personally, coming off the bench in that Final was just amazing. Everyone is full of confidence and now we're all looking forward to the new season.

How much can be read into this match in terms of how the season will unfold?

We know Arsenal have lost a couple of big players this summer and if we beat them in the Community Shield, who knows what will happen when the League campaign begins?

It's a really big match and it will mean so much more than just a pre-season friendly; there's a big trophy at stake.

Everton were runners-up to Arsenal in the League last season - a League they appear to have monopolised in the last five years. This season, can Everton finally end Arsenal's domestic dominance?

We've definitely got the potential. Last season we proved that we're really closing the gap on them and hopefully this will be the year we finally overhaul them. We're going to go out and give it our best shot in every competition.

There are a few good forwards at the club already, such as Jody Handley and Natasha Dowie. You got your chance in the team last season, following injuries to the regular strikers. Are you hopeful of starting a few more matches this season?

Last year was my first in the Premier League so I was just focused on experiencing top-level football and building up my confidence. I'm really grateful to Mo for giving me the chance and I just had to go out there and take it. Hopefully this season I'll start a few more games and make a bigger name for myself.

Are there any players that you admire?

As an Everton player, I'm not sure I should say this, but Steven Gerrard is a top footballer! Looking at my own club, training with Fara Williams every day is brilliant. Her ability on the ball is fantastic and I'd love to emulate what she's achieved in the game. She's amazing to watch.

Mo Marley obviously knows you well from the Everton set-up and you were named in Mo's England U19 squad for the recent UEFA Women's European U19 Championships. How was the tournament for you on a personal level?

Yeah, I was really pleased that I scored three goals in the tournament because I was starting to get a bit frustrated with myself. I hadn't scored as many goals as I'd wanted, so I was obviously delighted to get off the mark at international level.

I'm disappointed that we didn't go further, but we'll be back next year and hopefully this tournament will make us stronger.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

That would have to be Mo. She's been there for me throughout my whole career, both with Everton and with the England youth teams. But all the girls at Everton have been brilliant as well, they've really helped me settle into the squad.

Finally, what are your hopes for the season ahead?

I'm aiming to gain more experience in the Premier League with Everton and hopefully help the club win more silverware. It'd be nice to represent England a few more times as well. Personally, I'd just like to make a bit more of a name for myself.

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