Ireland sweating over McCabe injury before Women's World Cup

Ireland manager Vera Pauw said she did not know the full extent of captain Katie McCabe's injury after the forward rolled her ankle in a friendly against France on Thursday, two weeks before their debut Women's World Cup campaign.

McCabe rolled her ankle 15 minutes into the contest and initially carried on, but was replaced as a precaution by Izzy Atkinson after the half-hour mark as Ireland lost 3-0 in Dublin.

Ireland face World Cup co-hosts Australia on July 20.

"It's an ankle injury. She rolled over, stepped on the foot of the opponent," Pauw told RTE. "We cannot say anything now. We will see how it goes. Hopefully it will not be too bad."

France took control after McCabe's departure, with Maelle Lakrar and Eugenie Le Sommer both scoring in first-half stoppage time. Lakrar added another after the break.

"It (the injury) definitely changed the game," Pauw said. "I thought we were completely in control. You cannot blame the one who is coming on.

"Izzy did really well, but Katie is extraordinary, a different category. Of course you miss that immensely."