Chelsea Women and England Women's forward Fran Kirby has announced that she will not be able to play at the upcoming World Cup due to a knee injury.
The 29-year-old has not been seen on the field since being forced off with the issue during Chelsea's League Cup semi-final win over West Ham United on February 9.
Chelsea and Kirby initially adopted a conservative approach to her recovery in order to give her the best chance possible of playing in the World Cup, which begins on July 20.
However, the forward has now announced that she will be forced to undergo surgery to correct the problem, ruling her out of the remainder of the domestic season and this summer's international tournament.
"Unfortunately after a few months of rehab the decision has been made that I will require surgery on my knee," Kirby said in a statement on social media.
"I have been trying my best to not have to undergo this but unfortunately my progress has been limited due to the issue in my knee. I'm absolutely gutted to announce that this means my season is over and I will not be able to make the World Cup in the summer.
© Reuters
"I'm going to be doing everything possible to be ready for the start of next season and want to wish my teammates at Chelsea the best of luck for the rest of the season and my Lioness teammates the best of luck for the summer."
Kirby, who started all six of England's games during their run to the Euro 2022 crown, ends the 2022-23 season with nine goals and one assist from just 15 appearances across all competitions for Emma Hayes's side.
The 29-year-old's announcement is the latest in a long line of devastating injury blows for England, who have lost captain Leah Williamson to an ACL injury sustained last month.
Euro 2022 top scorer Beth Mead is also on the long road back from a similar concern, and Sarina Wiegman has admitted that the Arsenal forward will need a "miracle" to make the World Cup.
In addition, defensive stalwart Millie Bright will spend several more weeks on the treatment table with a knee injury sustained against Lyon in the Champions League, and she is facing a race against time to be fit for the summer.
England face Haiti, Denmark and China in World Cup Group D, kicking off against the former on July 22 before tackling Denmark six days later and meeting China on August 1.
