Lauren Thomas-Johnson is to suit up once again with Manchester Mystics and looks set to be a powerful force after recording an impressive return to the WBBL last season.

After coming back from maternity leave, the former Hatters star and GB international caught fire with Mystics, not only enjoying WBBL Cup silverware shortly after her re-integration, but finishing the season as one of the form players in the league.

“I am so excited to get back to it and keep the ball rolling from what I started last season when obviously I came into it part of the way through,” stated Thomas-Johnson

“It’s not been the easiest after becoming a mum in terms of getting back to where I wanted to be, but I have been working hard and I feel like I have now lost some of the weight that I needed to.

“I am ready to get back to the old Lauren and I think it is great that I can offer experience to the team along with some of the other players who are returning.”

The flexibility of Thomas-Johnson who can play multiple positions and her nice athleticism, smarts and scoring touch, are all massive positives that Mystics head coach Jeff Jones is only too happy to have back in the mix.

He declared: “Lauren came to the team in early January after the birth of her son and helped us with her experience and basketball IQ.

“Needless to say she had to adjust her game a bit, but I believe it helped her in certain ways not always relying on her athleticism.

“She has been working hard in the gym over the summer and we are looking forward to seeing the benefits on the floor this season.

“It will be tough for her juggling parenthood and playing, but I am more than confident she will be able to handle it and her experience will invaluable to us as a team,” stated the play-caller.

Thomas-Johnson made an immediate impact for Mystics last season by racking up more than 13 points and 6 boards per outing in the WBBL Championship