Manchester City and England winger Lauren Hemp has undergone surgery on a knee injury.
Hemp has missed City’s last two matches and ahead of Tuesday’s England squad announcement, the club confirmed her surgery.
Hemp last featured for City in their 4-0 Women’s Super League (WSL) win over Tottenham Hotspur, where she provided three assists before being withdrawn in the 78th minute. The 24-year-old then missed the 2-0 Champions League victory over Hammarby four days later.
Speaking last Thursday ahead of Saturday’s WSL game against Chelsea, head coach Gareth Taylor said Hemp “had a chance” of being fit for the top-of-the-table clash, which City then lost 2-0.
Hemp’s injury means she has been left out of the England squad for friendlies against the United States at Wembley Stadium and Switzerland at Bramall Lane.
City have not put a time frame on Hemp’s return but said she will “work closely with the Club’s medical team on her rehabilitation”. England head coach Sarina Wiegman confirmed Hemp’s injury was not to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), adding: “She had surgery. I think she’s alright. It takes a while before she gets back, but I’m not worried for the long-term) or future.”
City side face Hammarby on Thursday before the international break. When they return, Taylor’s side play WSL matches against Leicester City and Everton, and Champions League fixtures against St. Polten and Barcelona before the winter break.
‘Hemp’s injury could be significant in the title race’
Analysis from women’s football writer Megan Feringa
While the timeframe for Hemp’s return remains unknown, any match in which City have to do without her will be significant in their challenge for the WSL title. They sit two points behind Chelsea, having played one game fewer.
Hemp has arguably been the league’s best player but, more notably, she was key to City’s seven-match unbeaten start to the season. A general eye test of her scintillating displays on the left flank for City will tell you that.
But the stats are more compelling. Hemp has two goals and five assists in the WSL so far, the latter statistic testament to her preternatural connection with Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw. Hemp’s 15.2 progressive passes received per 90 is the most in the WSL of players with over 500 minutes, but it’s her ability to receive the ball and bring in team-mates to player, constantly acting as an outlet that makes her so important to Taylor’s side.
Hemp is averaging an xG of 0.52 per game for City, per Fbref, the second most in the team behind Shaw (0.79). The player closest to Hemp is Jill Roord (0.45), but Roord’s ability to find space and create stems from Hemp’s play on the wing.
City’s performance against title rivals Chelsea showcased what exactly City become without Hemp on the pitch: restricted and watered-down.
(Warren Little/Getty Images)
