“Chelsea’s Fran Kirby Disappointed to Miss World Cup Due to Knee Injury”

Fran Kirby, the Lionesses and Chelsea playmaker, will miss the World Cup due to a knee injury that requires surgery. Kirby sustained the injury during Chelsea’s 7-0 Conti Cup semi-final win over West Ham and will be out of action for a “significant period”. The news is a blow for both her club and England’s plans for the tournament. Kirby wrote on Twitter that she was “absolutely gutted” to miss the World Cup, but would do everything possible to be ready for the start of next season. Her injury means she joins Leah Williamson and Beth Mead on the sidelines for England.