England’s Chloe Kelly and Fran Kirby will be unavailable for the Lionesses’ friendly against Switzerland at Bramall Lane on Tuesday.
Both players came on as substitutes in the 75th minute against the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) at Wembley on Saturday but Kelly sustained a concussion while Kirby picked up a calf injury. The latter was seen going to ground at full-time and visibly upset as she left the pitch. The duo will return to their clubs for ongoing assessment.
“Unfortunately, we have two injuries, Chloe Kelly and Fran Kirby, they will not be available,” said Sarina Wiegman in her pre-match press conference on Monday. “We have 23 players that are available with one (training) session to go.
“It is very disappointing. First of all, for them, and for us too, and of course, for the clubs, that they are not available next weekend.”
Kelly and Kirby join England’s long list of injuries with Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Ella Toone, Niamh Charles and Maya Le Tissier unavailable.
It leaves Wiegman short of England’s most experienced and talented attacking options, forcing her to rotate her squad in their last game of the year.
Switzerland, hosts of the 2025 European Championships, are also without a handful of players, including Arsenal midfielder Lia Walti.
(Harry Murphy/Getty Images)
