Fran Kirby has withdrawn from the England squad ahead of the Arnold Clark Cup after picking up a knee injury against West Ham on Thursday evening. She will remain with Chelsea for treatment while Jordan Nobbs set to take her place.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes declared Kirby's injury an 'impingement in her knee' that could take a while to settle causing the striker to pull out of the upcoming international tournament. She will be replaced by former Arsenal player and now Aston Villa midfielder Nobbs, who has 70 caps for her country to help the Lionesses retain their Arnold Clark Cup winners title.
The striker doubled Chelsea’s lead within 10 minutes of kick-off in the Continental Cup semi-final tie against West Ham Thursday night. Lauren James played a perfectly weighted through-ball into Kirby’s path to finish in the bottom left corner.
The game ended in a 7-0 thrashing display at the Chigwell Construction Stadium as Chelsea booked their place in the League Cup final with Arsenal. But Kirby’s night was cut short just before the break after she fell to the ground clutching her knee uncontested.
The number 14 managed to get off the field unaided but tucked her head deep inside her shirt as she limped to the sideline.
England and Chelsea striker Kirby is amongst the most successful football stars in history having won the Women’s Super League five times and the FA Cup three times with Chelsea whilst winning European Championship gold in the summer with England. But her journey has had its woes and the 29-year-old has made comments about her unwillingness to put her health on the line anymore.
In 2019 she was diagnosed with an inflammatory condition surrounding the heart (pericarditis) and after returning to full fitness she was struck down with extreme fatigue in February that saw her miss out on the remainder of the season for club and country. Yet Kirby managed to perform at the Euro’s starting all six games and collect player of the year awards from the Professional Football Association, the Football Writers’ Association and the Women’s Super League since.
The Arnold Clark Cup kicks off on February 16th England vs Korea Republic at Stadium MK at 7:45 pm available to watch via ITV. England will then face Italy and Belgium in a round-robin style competition to defend last year’s title.
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