Chelsea forward Fran Kirby has be ruled out for a 'significant period' following a knee injury. It is likely to rule her out of England's squad for the women's World Cup in the summer. Kirby will undergo surgery for the injury sustained during Chelsea's League Cup semifinal against West Ham in February.

England's captain Leah Williamson is out of the tournament with an ACL injury while Beth Mead, who was player of the tournament at Euro 2022, will 'need a miracle to be fit'.

England coach Sarina Wiegman is light of options at the No 10 position and has already experimented with Aston Villa forward Rachel Daly there. Although other players like Jordan Nobbs, Lucy Staniforth, and Manchester United captain Katie Zelem are adept at that position, they have not featured much over the past two years and world need to be called up directly for the World Cup.

Chelsea have seven games left as they try to push for a league and cup double.

Kirby tweeted: “I have been trying my best to not have to undergo this but unfortunately my progress has been limited due to the issue in my knee. I’m absolutely gutted to announce that this means my season is over and I will not be able to make the World Cup.”