England star Fran Kirby confirms she will miss 2023 Women’s World Cup with knee injury – ‘I’m absolutely gutted’

Chelsea and England striker Fran Kirby requires surgery to treat a knee injury and will miss the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Kirby – who suffered the injury in Chelsea’s win over West Ham in the Continental Cup semi-final back in February – confirmed the news on social media.

“Unfortunately after a few months of rehab, the decision has been made that I will require surgery on my knee,” Kirby tweeted.

“I have been trying my best to not have to undergo this but unfortunately my progress has been limited due to the issue in my knee.

“I’m absolutely gutted to announce that this means my season is over and I will not be able to make the World Cup in the summer.

“I’m going to be doing everything possible to be ready for the start of next season and want to wish my team-mates at Chelsea the best of luck for the rest of the season and my Lioness team-mates the best of luck this summer.”

Kirby is a five-time Women’s Super League champion and has also won the FA Cup three times. She helped England win the European Championships last summer and has made 65 international appearances, scoring 17 goals.

Beth Mead is also expected to miss the tournament in Australia and New Zealand after injuring her knee in November.

A Chelsea statement on Kirby read: “Following an injury sustained during our Continental League Cup semi-final against West Ham, Fran has been reviewed at Cobham by the Chelsea medical team.

England start as one of the favourites for the 2023 World Cup, which begins on July 20.

The Lionesses begin their campaign against Haiti three days later followed by fixtures against Denmark and China in Group D.