Injuries to several key players dominating Canada's focus ahead of Women's World Cup

As the Canadian national soccer team gathers for training camp in the Gold Coast of Australia ahead of this summer's FIFA Women's World Cup, there are significant questions to answer both on and off the pitch.

While recent headlines have centred on the off-field distractions of the Olympic champion's fight for equal pay with Canada Soccer and the governing body's overall financial woes, on the field, there are also concerns over the injury status and match fitness of several key players on coach Bev Priestman's side.

Strikers Deanne Rose and Nichelle Prince are returning from significant Achilles tendon injuries suffered in September and November, respectively, while three-time Olympic medallist Desiree Scott is recovering from a late-2022 knee injury that required surgery. Standout forward Janine Beckie has already been ruled out after suffering an ACL tear in her right knee in March. 

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They're not the only ones who've had extended layoffs over the last year. 

Fullback Jayde Riviere had hip surgery in September. Centre back Vanessa Gilles had a hip injury that kept her sidelined for a number of months.

Fellow centre back and team stalwart Kadeisha Buchanan missed April's friendly against France with a lower-body injury (though returned to Chelsea's lineup in time to win a Women's Super League title last month). Midfielder Quinn dealt with a leg issue earlier this season, but they have looked in form with club team OL Reign. Veteran defender Shelina Zadorsky missed significant time with her club Tottenham due to illness. 

You get the picture. 

"Unfortunately this past year we've had a few big injuries. Big players being sidelined,