Emma Saunders touched by support from fans of partner Will Still's club Lens

Saunders, an English broadcaster who works for Sky Sports, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer earlier this year and was left in a coma due to the brain infection encephalitis.

The 32-year-old is in a relationship with English manager and Lens boss, Will Still, after starting to date in 2024 and going public during England's Euro 2024 campaign.

As a result, fans of Still's club Lens paid tribute to their head coach's girlfriend during their 1-0 win over Rennes at the weekend with a banner that said: "Courage Emma et Will," which translates to "Courage Emma and Will."

Sharing an image of the tribute on her Instagram story, Saunders wrote: "Merci Lens," with a red and yellow hearts - the club's colours.

Confirming the news of her diagnosis last week, Saunders wrote on Instagram: "Hi folks.

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"Unfortunately life took a bit of an unexpected turn a couple of weeks ago and I'm now off work while I recover from Encephalitis - an infection of the brain.

"I hope it won't be long until I'm back to see out the end of 2024/25 - especially after missing part of the start of the season before this when I was treated for Thyroid cancer.

"So, as I spend time now recovering and rebuilding again - I just wanted to thank my family & friends for their rock solid support, my colleagues at Sky for their patience allowing me the time to heal, and our wonderful NHS for their extraordinary kindness and care.

"And of course you Will Still just for being you and being there for me."

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In an interview with L'Equipe after their win over Marseille last week, Still explained the toll that it has taken on Saunders and himself, saying: "It's tough.

"We realise that there are more important things in life than a football match or a shot that goes into the top corner.

"I was honest with the guys. My girlfriend was in a coma. We had to be with her, we had to take care of her.

"The group reacted admirably well. My girlfriend is stable, she's fine.

"That's the most important thing. When I came back last Saturday, I knew she was in the best possible place to get treatment.

"I asked her the question openly: 'Do I go, do I not go?' She said to me: 'You have to go.'

"I thank the staff and my brothers who were there to do the work when I wasn't there.

"I felt like I had to give something back, hence the frustration and disappointment last week."

Saunders is one of the leading female sports broadcasters in the country, working for Sky Sports on their football coverage.

She has also worked for BBC Sports and as a stadium presenter for the World Cup, Six Nations Rugby matches, and the first-ever MLB game in the UK.

Still is one of the hottest young managerial prospects in European football.

Just 32 years of age, Still was just 30 when he took over at Reims in French after launching his managerial career in Belgium.

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His role at Reims came before he'd even achieved his UEFA Pro Licence, costing the club £22,000 every time that he was in the dugout.

Previously linked with a move to England with Sunderland, Still instead chose to take charge of Lens last summer and led the club to eighth position in Ligue 1 this term.