Everything was looking rosy for the 21-year-old from South Hetton as the new year dawned.

The Leeds Carnegie right-back was getting ready to return to the game after a lengthy injury nightmare, with a League Cup final to aim for, as well as a return to international action.

And there was also the prospect of the proposed women's semi-professional Super League to look forward to.

But the former Sunderland player has been left gutted by news that Leeds have pulled out of the running to be part of the new league on financial grounds.

Leeds Carnegie University decided it could not continue to fund the women's team, with the FA demanding greater commitments from clubs as it tries to give the women's game a bigger profile.

And that will lead to the break-up of the Leeds team, with players looking for new clubs who will be part of the new eight-team league, which begins in March next year.

"It is devastating news," said Houghton. "I was just closing in on fitness after the injury and really looking forward to playing again. And then we were hit with this hammer blow.

"All the girls are really upset and shocked. It leaves everything up in the air.

"The Super League appeared to be an exciting prospect and I think we all assumed we would be part of it.

"The team has grown up together in the last few years and we felt we were close to challenging the top two of Arsenal and Everton. We held a players' meeting and decided to stick together for the rest of the season, but we will have to decide what happens from there."

Houghton left Sunderland three years ago after the Wearsiders suffered relegation from the top flight.

Sunderland have fought back, though, and are the current Premier League leaders. They have made their bid to the FA and hope to be selected as one of the elite eight.

Leeds' demise raises the possibility of a return to Wearside for Houghton – if Sunderland win selection. But there will be plenty of demand for the defender, who is centrally contracted to England and is studying at Loughborough University.

Houghton, though, will concentrate for now on her fitness and return to the top level. She should have been the youngest England player at the 2007 World Cup finals in China, but broke a leg in training just days after being named in the squad.

Then, after recovering from that setback, she ruptured cruciate ligaments just before the Euro 2009 squad was announced.

"It's been absolutely heart-breaking being out for so long and having to do all the rehab work," she admitted. "But I went to the England training camp in La Manga last month and that was a boost to still feel part of the set-up."

Leeds take on Everton in the League Cup final at Rochdale next Thursday.

England also have World Cup qualifiers coming up and Houghton is aiming to get back into international action as soon as possible. She has also been included in the England U23 squad to play in the La Manga Tournament later this month.

"My fitness is coming on and I'm hoping to get half an hour in the game on Sunday," she said.

"I have to concentrate on the present and get my match fitness and touch back. I'm aiming to show I'm still the player I was and hopefully make it third time lucky after missing out on the last two major tournaments.

"The Leeds situation is upsetting, but I will see the season out and deal with it then."