Young Matilda star Amy Sayer has torn her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), ruling her out of the Paris Olympics.
Sayer had to be helped off the pitch while playing for Swedish club Kristianstads DFF at the weekend, and scans confirmed the severity of her injury.
His ACL tear follows similar injuries to superstar captain Sam Kerr and young winger Holly McNamara.
Midfielder Katrina Gorry has an ankle injury, while defender Clare Hunt has a stress fracture in her foot, and both are racing against the clock to prove their fitness ahead of the Olympics.
Aivi Luik, Emily Gielnik and Chloe Logarzo are also battling injuries.
Sayer, 22, has 11 caps and was a regular in recent Matildas teams after missing last year’s Women’s World Cup.
She scored her first goal during February’s Olympic qualifiers against Uzbekistan and has reportedly been pushing for a call-up to Paris’ 18-player squad.
“Since returning to the national team at the end of 2022, Amy has been a positive addition to our team with her attitude and work ethic on and off the court,” said coach Tony Gustavsson.
“Suffering this setback is a disturbing blow for Amy and our Matildas family.
“As always for us, our priority will be to support Amy and ensure she receives care and assistance as she needs to get through this difficult time.”
Sayer will remain in Sweden for medical evaluations before undergoing surgery and then rehabilitation, with no timetable set for his return to play.
Fowler and Kennedy on the brink of WSL title
Meanwhile, fellow Matildas stars and Manchester City players Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy are in pole position to become English champions after a calamitous defeat by Chelsea in the Women’s Super League.
Not even an own goal from Matildas goalkeeper Teagan Micah could prevent Liverpool from beating champions Chelsea 4-3 on Wednesday (Thursday AEST), a result that has tilted the title race decisively in Manchester’s favour. City.
Fowler had scored two stunning goals and Kennedy was a rock in a City defense that had recorded a 4-0 win at Bristol City at the weekend, and Chelsea simply could not respond to the mounting pressure at Liverpool’s Prenton Park.
Already defeated in the League Cup final, FA Cup semi-finals and Champions League semi-finals in recent weeks, a season that looked like it could be a glorious “quadruple” farewell for coach Emma Hayes, who will leave to coach the United States. , the Blues could end up without winning anything.
The fate of a fifth consecutive WSL title is now out of Chelsea’s hands as they are still six points behind City with just a game in hand, and are also trailing on goal difference.
If City achieve a win and a draw against third-placed Arsenal and Aston Villa in their final two matches, it will be enough to guarantee their first title, while Chelsea must hope they make a mistake as they beat relegated Bristol City in the FA Cup. finalists Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in their last three games.
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AAP
