Lucy Bronze is in a race to be fit for the World Cup after undergoing knee surgery on Tuesday, in another major blow to England’s injury-plagued squad.
Right-back Bronze is the third of Sarina Wiegman’s first-choice defensive backline to be ruled out by a knee injury in the past month or so, joining Millie Bright and captain Leah Williamson on the sidelines.
Bronze, 31, picked up the injury last Saturday, in Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
Though she hobbled off the pitch in the second half, England supporters’ worst fears were allayed when she returned for post-match celebrations and Barcelona head coach Jonatan Giraldez assured reporters: “She felt something in her knee, but she’s fine.”
In a club statement on Wednesday though, it was confirmed that Bronze has since had arthroscopy on her right knee, a type of keyhole surgery for checking or repairing your joints.
Confirming that she would not play Thursday’s second leg at the Camp Nou – where 65,000 fans are expected – Giráldez said on Wednesday that Bronze had a “blockage in her knee” and would be out of action “for a few weeks”.
The expected recovery time is usually six weeks, which means Bronze will spend much of the build up to the World Cup – which begins on July 20 – in recovery from the injury.
On her Instagram page, Bronze posted a smiling selfie in a hospital bed with a thumbs up, adding the caption: “Successful surgery!! In very good spirits after my knee op yesterday [Tuesday]. It’s never easy being sidelined, but I’m as focused as ever to work hard and return to full fitness, hopefully as soon as possible.
“Thank you to everyone for all of your kind messages already! I couldn’t ask for better support, so thank you. The hard work has already started already can’t wait to be back on the pitch with this team. See you all very soon”
Sarina Wiegman’s lack of rotation may come back to haunt her
By Molly McElwee
Despite Bronze’s positive message, this latest injury to one of England’s most experienced and influential players will be a major worry for Wiegman, whose defensive options are dropping like flies. The uncertainty is all the more worrying as the England manager has been hesitant to rotate her starting XI, in particular her preferred back four. But she may have no option but to do so if players struggle to return to full fitness in time for the World Cup.
Captain Williamson is already definitely ruled out, after she suffered an ACL injury to her knee last Thursday. While Williamson will be unavailable for this summer’s tournament, her centre-back partner Bright – who is recovering from a similar surgery to Bronze for an injury picked up in March – is expected to be back in time for the World Cup. Last week Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said she will be out for a further “few weeks” though, and was unable to provide any more detail about her expected recovery time.