Walsh unlikely to play again at WWC but there is hope she DIDN'T rupture her ACL

Keira Walsh is unlikely to play another game at the World Cup but there is optimism that the midfielder did not rupture her anterior cruciate ligament in England’s victory over Denmark.

Walsh crumpled to the floor in the 38th minute after her studs caught in the turf. The midfielder was seen mouthing the words ‘I’ve done my knee’ to England’s medical staff, before leaving the pitch on a stretcher.

There is thought to be optimism that Walsh did not sustain an ACL rupture, the same injury that has prevented Leah Williamson and Beth Mead from competing at this World Cup.

While that would come as positive news, her chances of recovering in time to play again at this tournament are slim, with the FA still assessing the extent of the her injury.

England manager Sarina Wiegman dismissed suggestions that she did not have a plan B for playing without Walsh.

Former Lionesses striker Ellen White said on the BBC that during last summer’s Euros they did not have a back-up plan if Walsh was unavailable.

'Everything came through Keira, there wasn't a plan B,’ White said.

‘I dreaded to think of the idea of us ever losing her because she was one of our best players.

‘Beth Mead was scoring all the goals but all of our play came through Keira. She was the key cog, everything moved through her.’

Wiegman brought on Manchester City midfielder Laura Coombs to replace Walsh and was irked by the suggestion she did not have a plan B.

‘You’re talking about the Euros,’ Wiegman said. ‘We’re now in a World Cup. You saw the plan B.’

Walsh has missed just two England games since October 2021.