Stanway ready to step up in absence of Walsh against China in World Cup group

Georgia Stanway says she will lead by example in the absence of midfield partner and best friend Keira Walsh when England take on China in their final Women's World Cup group game.

Walsh was stretchered off in the first half of England's 1-0 win over Denmark in Sydney on Friday with what appeared to be a serious knee injury, although scans have since shown Walsh has not suffered an ACL injury as first feared.

England boss Sarina Wiegman confirmed Walsh is definitely not in contention for Tuesday's game against China in Adelaide, with Stanway relishing the prospect of taking on additional responsibility in the absence of Barcelona midfielder Walsh.

"I woke up this morning feeling a lot more mature," Stanway said.

"I think over the last year I've created a little bit of a leadership role for myself in the way I am playing.

"I've built a lot of confidence in my own game, I've been consistent off the back of the Euros, and I just kinda want to keep that momentum.

"I can prove my leadership by the way that I am playing. I can lead by example and I'm not afraid to communicate. I'll try and do two jobs."

Wiegman was non-committal when asked whether Walsh would be able to play any further part in the tournament.

"Keira is okay. It's not an ACL. I can't give you any more information," Wiegman said.

"She won't be available tomorrow and actually we are only really focusing on the game tomorrow and after that we will continue what we are doing.

"I think we have a strong enough team. I think every game we want to be at our best and we know she is not available. We have a group of 23, so now we have a group of 22 and we have found solutions, and we will show that tomorrow.

"It's not nice to lose players. First of all for them, and second for the team, but we are here to move on.

"It's part of sport, it's not nice, but we have to move on, to adapt to the new situation and find a way, and bring 11 players on the pitch with whom we think can win the game."

What is the Women's World Cup schedule?

The group stage has begun and runs over a two-week period, finishing on August 3. Group winners and runners-up progress to the round of 16, which takes place from August 5 to August 8.

The quarter-finals, which will be held in Wellington, Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney, are scheduled for August 11 and 12.

The first semi-final will be played on August 15 in Auckland, with the other semi-final taking place on August 16 at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, which will then host the final on August 20.

A third-place play-off will be played the day before the final on August 19 in Brisbane.