Lionesses handed injury scare as Leah Williamson limps out of Arsenal’s clash with Manchester United

Leah Williamson will be hoping her place at the World Cup is not under threat after limping out of Arsenal’s Women’s Super League clash against Manchester United with an injury.

The England captain collapsed in pain in the 12th minute at Leigh Sports Village, seemingly catching her studs in the ground and appearing to damage her knee.

She immediately signalled to the bench for treatment, eventually being helped from the field as she disappeared down the tunnel.

It’s unconfirmed the extent of the defender’s injury as of yet but, according to BBC Sport, Williamson left the stadium on crutches after the incident.

It could come as a crucial blow to Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses, with the Women’s World Cup set to take place in 94 days time.  

The England captain was left in a heap on the floor after catching her studs in the ground

She quickly signalled to be substituted and was helped down the tunnel after just 12 minutes

Williamson’s compatriot, but opposition on the night, put United ahead on the stroke of half-time – once the Arsenal defender had already been removed. 

If Williamson were to be ruled out of the tournament, she would not be the only Gunners star missing out on the Lionesses’ squad.

Arsenal’s Beth Mead is also in a race against time to be fit after sustaining an ACL injury in November and Wiegman has admitted she will need a ‘miracle’ to be fit. 

It come as the latest blow to the Lionesses, who fell 2-0 to Australia in their friendly at Brentford on Tuesday night, the first defeat since Wiegman took charge in September 2021.

Wiegman had wanted more meetings against top competition ahead of this summer’s World Cup and, in world number 10 Australia, got more than some thought she had bargained for.

‘I haven’t been focused [on the unbeaten streak] at all,’ said Wiegman. ‘We just want to win every next game, and yes you remind us of [it] all the time, but we don’t talk about that in our camp.

‘We talk about the next game, and that we want to improve every game, and try to adapt to the opponent who is in front of us and try to bring our qualities on the pitch.’

Wiegman will now turn her attention to finalising the squad who will travel to Australia for the World Cup, with England set to open their campaign against Haiti in Brisbane on July 22. 

Sarina Wiegman could be handed a huge blow ahead of the World Cup commencing in July