Keira Walsh Injured in Major Blow for England at Women’s World Cup
England’s Women’s World Cup campaign has been dealt a major blow with the injury of Keira Walsh. The Manchester City midfielder was carried off the pitch on a stretcher in tears with a knee problem in the first half of the Lionesses’ second match of the tournament against Denmark.
The incident is a fresh blow for Sarina Wiegman’s team, who had already gone into the World Cup without several key stars due to injuries. Former England defender Gilly Flaherty said on commentary duties for the BBC: “I think it’s gutting. I am looking now at the pictures of Keira Walsh. She looks upset. It’s not good to see and it’s just fingers crossed that it isn’t what we think it is [an ACL injury]. You feel sick at the thought it could potentially be another ACL.”
Karen Bardsley, another ex-England star, added: “I was just about to say what a game she is having in terms of being able to create space for herself. She is phenomenal at doing that and when she went to Barcelona I think that added a new level to her game. It is big shoes to fill and England have played games without her in the past.”
Former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis said: “Keira Walsh looks like she has said ‘I’ve done my knee’ – an ongoing, ever-present unfortunate discussion that we are having in women’s football. Her studs get caught in the ground, not a lot of contact, and we all know what that means. We’re just hoping that the outcome is different for Keira Walsh. Those down moments that make you sick to the pit of your stomach are hard to ignore, but England need to keep their minds on the task in hand.”
The extent of Walsh’s injury is yet to be determined, but her absence will be a major blow for England as they look to progress in the tournament. Laura Coombs has come on in her place and will be tasked with filling the void left by Walsh.
It is unclear how long Walsh will be out for, but she will undoubtedly be a huge miss for England. The Lionesses will be hoping for a speedy recovery for their star midfielder, and will be hoping to make it far in the tournament despite her absence.
More updates on Keira Walsh’s injury are expected in the coming days, and England will be hoping for positive news as they continue their World Cup campaign.