Fran Kirby joins England’s World Cup absentee list with surgery pending

Fran Kirby is the latest England player to be ruled out of the Women’s World Cup, with Chelsea saying the forward will be absent “for a significant period”. The club said Kirby needed an operation on a knee injury sustained in February.

England’s captain Leah Williamson is out with an ACL injury, Sarina Wiegman has said Beth Mead needs a miracle to be fit and Kirby – another important member of the team that won Euro 2022 – will not be able to travel to Australia for the tournament in July.

“Following an injury sustained during our Continental League Cup semi-final against West Ham, Fran has been reviewed at Cobham by the Chelsea medical team,” Chelsea said in a statement. “Following that review and further discussion with a specialist, Fran is set to undergo surgery and is expected to be sidelined for a significant period.”

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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 seasons is over and I will not be able to make the World Cup.”