Alex Greenwood’s journey to next summer’s Euros is facing a serious hurdle after Manchester City confirmed that the England international had undergone knee surgery.
The injury has raised concerns over her availability for the upcoming tournament, which kicks off in July.
A Star Player for the Lionesses
Greenwood was a standout performer for the Lionesses during the World Cup last year.
Her blend of creativity, maturity, and defensive intelligence made her a key figure in the team’s success.
Her leadership on the pitch was also evident as she captained the team on several occasions, solidifying her importance to both club and country.
Injury Details and Recovery
Initially, City manager Gareth Taylor downplayed the severity of Greenwood’s injury, stating that it wasn’t as bad as first feared.
However, a statement from the club revealed that Greenwood required surgery to repair her MCL.
While the procedure was successful, MCL injuries typically have a recovery period ranging from three to nine months, which casts doubt on her fitness ahead of the Euros.
Setback for Manchester City
Greenwood’s injury occurred during City’s 2-0 win over St Polten in the Champions League.
Since then, City’s performance has noticeably weakened without their star defender.
The team suffered a 2-1 defeat to Everton in the WSL and was beaten 3-0 by Barcelona in the Champions League.
Despite these setbacks, City still advanced to the quarterfinals.
A Tight Race for Euro 2024
With the Euros starting on July 2, time is running out for Greenwood to regain full fitness.
City and England fans alike will be hoping she can recover in time for the prestigious tournament, but the recovery window for MCL injuries leaves little room for error.
Greenwood’s Message to Fans
On social media, Greenwood shared an emotional message about her recovery.
“Not the ending to 2024 that I had planned,” she wrote.
“I will work so hard to be back on the pitch as soon as I can. For now, I’m going to take some time to myself and my family, who always give their time to me. Thank you for all the support this year. See you all soon.”
More Injury Woes for Manchester City
Greenwood is not the only City player facing an extended time on the sidelines.
Vivianne Miedema is also recovering from a long-term knee injury, and star striker Bunny Shaw won’t return until January.
England winger Lauren Hemp is expected to be out until the new year as well, further complicating City’s injury woes.
A Welcome Break for City
Fortunately for Manchester City, their next match isn’t until January 12, when they face third-tier Ipswich Town in the FA Cup.
This gives them a much-needed break of over three weeks before the busy fixture schedule picks up again.
As for the Lionesses, their next international fixtures are at the end of February, where they will face Portugal and Spain in the Nations League.
What’s Next for Greenwood?
As Greenwood focuses on her recovery, the race against time for her to return to full fitness for Euro 2024 remains a key storyline in both club and international football.
Fans and teammates alike will be hoping for a speedy recovery, but only time will tell if she can make it back in time for the tournament.