Injury bug creates opportunity for Canadian WNT ahead of World Cup prep friendlies

For a second consecutive international window, the injury bug has hit the Canadian women's team pretty hard as it continues to prepare for the 2023 FIFA World Cup. 

Canada will face Argentina on Oct. 6 and Morocco on Oct. 10, with both matches taking place at Estadio Municipal de Chapín in Jerez, Spain. But when the Canadians take to the pitch for these friendlies, they'll be without six members of the gold-medal team from the Tokyo Olympics due to injuries: iconic captain Christine Sinclair, centre back Vanessa Gilles, fullbacks Ashley Lawrence, Jayde Riviere and Gabrielle Carle, and forward Deanne Rose.

Both Gilles and Lawrence missed Canada's pair of wins over Australia in exhibition games last month. But the defensive pair, as well as Sinclair and Carle, should return to action soon. More good news for the Canadian team is the return from injuries of veterans Kadeisha Buchanan and Allysha Chapman, who have been called up by coach Bev Priestman this month after being unavailable against Australia. 

"I think it's really difficult to say at this point. Knowing Deanne, her determination, athleticism and the support that we'll put around her to make sure Deanne is part of that World Cup squad. I'd like to think so," Priestman stated.

But rather than bemoan her players' bad luck with injuries, Priestman is keen to take the lemons she's been given and make lemonade. She will use this month's international window to give playing time and opportunities to others who aren't regular starters, all with an eye toward strengthening the team's overall depth going into the World Cup. 

"What I've got to do is be sure that with whatever positions have injuries that we've got the next [player] ready to go. What you'll see and sense is