Manchester United Women's head coach Marc Skinner says Alessia Russo could be out for another three weeks as she continues to nurse the injury that ruled her out of England’s friendly win over the United States earlier this month.
The Lioness has played two WSL games this season, scoring in last month’s 4-0 win over Reading but has failed to feature since playing 80 minutes in the 2-0 win over West Ham eight days later.
Russo picked up what the FA called a “small injury” ahead of the Wembley bout with the USA, immediately withdrawing from the England squad. The 23-year-old has since returned to training and Skinner says her recovery is “progressing nicely”, though she is some way off a return.
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“Alessia is... probably two to three weeks away,” he said ahead of Sunday’s trip to Leicester. “She’s still training back on the field and everything is progressing nicely.
“[She will] probably start team training in two or three weeks and then she’ll be in contention.” Meanwhile, Grace Clinton and Hannah Blundell are also unavailable but have returned to the training field.
Right-back Ona Batlle could feature against Leicester despite being taken off amid concussion concerns in last Sunday’s 4-0 thumping of Brighton. “There will be no risk with Ona, but she is progressing nicely so we’ll see towards the game at the weekend [if she can play],” Skinner added.
United are top of the WSL after winning all three of their opening games having scored 10 and conceded none. Skinner said the perfect start to the season was down to "continued growth and team cohesion."
“I think we’re growing in experience, which is what we needed,” he said. “What the additions to the squad have allowed us to do is find different ways to score goals.
“The most impressive stat for me is the different amount of goalscorers we have. That shows we’re a team – we’ve got exceptional individuals – but we want to be a team and help each other.
“That’s going to be the difference. It’s a good start, but that is really all it is. We’ve got to make sure we stay grounded and do the best in every game, which again starts against Leicester this weekend.”
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