England have confimed Keira Walsh’s injury is not as bad as first feared.
The Lionesses midfielder was stretchered off in tears during the 1-0 victory over Denmark at the Women’s World Cup on Friday.
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Walsh, the world’s most expensive player, could be seen mouthing ‘I’ve done my knee’ and was pictured on crutches after the game.
The initial concern was that she had ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament, which would have ruled her out of the World Cup and most of next season.
England have now confirmed the damage is not as severe as first feared.
Walsh has been ruled out of the Lionesses’ final group game with China in Group D and she will continue to be assessed and continue her recovery with the team.
Manager Sarina Wiegman admitted she was concerned after the victory over Denmark, which put England on the brink of qualification for the knockout stages.
Wiegman said: “Of course I’m concerned because she couldn’t walk off the pitch, but we don’t know yet, so we can’t take any assumptions.
“Let’s just wait until we really have a diagnosis and then we can tell you.”
England are among the favourites for the Women’s World Cup but entered the tournament without a number of key players following injuries to Beth Mead, Fran Kirby and Leah Williamson.
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