Hampton already feels at home as she battles to be Chelsea's No1

Hannah Hampton is relishing the opportunity she has been handed by Emma Hayes to establish herself as Chelsea's No1. 

The England keeper, 23, joined the Women's Super League champions from Aston Villa last summer but had to bide her time before breaking into the side. 

Having started four of six matches since the turn of the year, Hampton knows she must stay on her toes to keep out fellow stopper Zecira Musovic. 

But speaking ahead of tonight's Conti Cup clash with Sunderland, she preferred to focus on how easy it has been to settle in at Kingsmeadow. 

Hampton told Chelsea's official website: "I've been here four months and it already feels like home, where I want to spend a lot of time.

"I'm happy with the performances. They're definitely still nowhere near the standard I set myself, the consistency in my performances can be higher, but I'm quite harsh on myself. 

"I just know what I expect from myself and what I can do — and I don't think I've shown everything I can do in training or a game situation yet. 

"I'm excited with the training we're getting and obviously any opportunity that comes my way in matches to show my true capabilities."

Sunderland are just two points behind leaders Charlton in the Women's Championship table and Hampton — who has kept clean sheets in her last two outings — knows they will provide a stiff test with a semi-final spot at stake. 

She added: "Sunderland are going to cause as many problems as they possibly can, so I think it's going to be an interesting fixture.

"They're going to want to cause an upset, to prove a point. These games are always the hardest. 

"We'd never walk into a game expecting to win — if you do that, it can easily not work in your favour."