Millie Bright gives Women’s World Cup injury update and hints she’ll miss Lionesses match

The Chelsea defender, who will captain the Lionesses, in the absence of Leah Williamson due to an ACL injury, underwent an operation after being forced off during a match in March. While Bright doesn't anticipate returning to action for Saturday's World Cup warm-up game against Portugal in Milton Keynes, she feels optimistic about featuring in the England’s first Group D match against Haiti in Brisbane on July 22.

During the team's camp at St George's Park, the 29-year-old has been undergoing individual training and provided an update on her progress, saying: "The knee's really good. I think we are a little bit ahead [of schedule] actually. Coming into it, there's a big chunk of time before the first game, so we're really confident and everything is going exactly the way we wanted it to go."

Regarding her availability for Saturday's match, Bright explained: "I think Saturday will be a little bit too soon. I'm not back with the girls yet and I don't think we want to rush that. Obviously, we have a lot of time until the first game."

Dispelling concerns about being underprepared, she added: "No, not at all. I think the amount of minutes I've played leading up to this has been ridiculous, through the roof, so if anything I feel mentally and physically fresher than I've ever felt.

“I can't remember the last time I had longer than two weeks off. It's been a fair few years now. A blessing in disguise I call it, that I've mentally and physically been able to completely just have a clean slate and let my body recover. I've played through many injuries but this one, I just couldn't quite get there."

There was a scare during Tuesday's training session when Alex Greenwood sustained an injury, but the Manchester City defender assured that she would be fine. "(It is) on the shin. It's sore, but it's football. It was a tackle, part of the game,” said Greenwood.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa midfielder Lucy Staniforth has been named as a standby player for England, replacing forward Jess Park who is returning to Manchester City for shoulder injury rehabilitation.

Staniforth, joining Maya Le Tissier on the standby list, will remain with Sarina Wiegman's 23-player squad until the Haiti match, with the European champions set to depart for Australia next Wednesday.

Meanwhile Visa, the worldwide FIFA Women’s Football Partner, has announced a first-ever extension of the coveted Visa Player of the Match Award, which will see women-owned small businesses across potentially 32 countries, including England, awarded grant funds totalling $500,000 (£393,000).

The Visa Player of the Match trophy will be awarded at each of the 64 matches to the player whom fans vote to be the most outstanding of the match. During FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, audiences watching at home will have the opportunity to celebrate the women on the pitch and for the first time, while helping to elevate women in business at the same time.

“Visa understands equity requires action and resources. We're excited to use the world’s biggest stage for women’s sports to put the power for change into the athlete’s performance - and uplift a business in the home country of each game's Player of the Match." said Frank Cooper, Chief Marketing Officer of Visa.

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