The Magpies face North East rivals Sunderland Women at the Stadium of Light for the first-ever competitive fixture between the two sides in the Women's Championship.

Boddy has already represented England at youth level, played in the Women's Super League and became a key figure in United's title-winning season last time out.

And the number six insists that the bigger the game, the more she looks to up her own performances and make an impact in the middle of the pitch.

"These games get me fired up," Boddy said ahead of the North East derby. "I think I rise to the occasion. The bigger the game, the better I usually perform.

"There'll be moments when emotions are heightened on the pitch, but that's where I'll look to use my experience to keep things calm.

"Ultimately, this is what we play for; to have a big North East derby like this against Sunderland."

The 20-year-old, who joined the club almost 15 months ago, is keen for everyone in the squad to do their job and treat the game like any other match and not play the occasion.

Boddy and her team-mates are fully focused on the upcoming game, having already put Sunday's late defeat to Durham Women behind them - and they know a win against Sunderland would be the best way to respond.

"Our preparation will be the same this week as it would be for any other game, against any other opposition," Boddy told newcastleunited.com.

But, hailing from the North East, Boddy knows what the Tyne-Wear derby means to both players and fans in the region.

Almost half of United's squad hail were born or brought up in the region, so don't need to be told twice about what it means to represent the Geordie fanbase.

"There will be certain players who have their own stories and connections to this derby and others won't have any connection at all," added Boddy.

"It's all about preparing correctly, making sure we go into the game with no fear and with the desire to pick up three points and this should put us in a great place."