Chelsea captain Millie Bright will take no part in the Lionesses' matches in the coming days. Bright, who helped the Blues clinch a domestic treble a week ago at Wembley, has pulled out of Sarina Wiegman's squad to face Portugal this Friday night (30 May) and Spain in Barcelona on Tuesday (3 June).
She played every minute of the 3-0 FA Cup final victory over Manchester United, and appeared to be in good shape as she lifted the trophy on the Wembley gantry – taking care to avoid another mishap. The last time she raised a cup, the top fell off and clonked her on the head.
But now Chelsea has announced that she is taking a temporary rest from international duties to give her what the club call "an extended period of recovery".
Aggie Beever-Jones, Niamh Charles, Lucy Bronze, Hannah Hampton and Keira Walsh remain in the England side for the UEFA Nations League double-header.
Chelsea Women had the wind taken out of their sails at the weekend when their domestic treble achievement was overshadowed by arch-rivals Arsenal stunning Barcelona with a 1-0 win and lifting the Women's Champions League trophy.
Blues fans know there will be a lot of crowing and pointed chants to endure in the season ahead, but while congratulating the Gunners on their achievement, manager Sonia Bompastor is even more determined that her Chelsea team will emulate the north Londoners next May.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
