Lionesses star Alex Greenwood’s hopes of landing a spot on next year’s Euros squad take a major hit as Man City confirm defender has undergone knee surgery

Alex Greenwood’s hopes of making it to next summer’s Euros tournament have been dented after Manchester City confirmed this morning that the Lionesses star had undergone knee surgery.

Greenwood was arguably the Lionesses’ player of the tournament during the World Cup last year – her combination of creativity, maturity and defensive intuition a welcome presence in the back line. She has also worn the Lionesses armband on a number of occasions.

City manager Gareth Taylor had initially said the ‘injury was not as bad as first feared’ but a statement from the club has revealed she required ‘a repair of her MCL’.

The club added that it had been a ‘successful’ procedure, with Greenwood due to return to the City Academy to work with medical staff.

Although not typically severe as the dreaded ACL injury, the timeframe for MCL recovery can be between three and nine months.

The defender sustained the injury during City’s 2-0 win over St Polten in the Champions League last week, and City have looked a weakened side without her.

Greenwood picked up the injury during Man City’s win over St Polten in the Champions League

Greenwood had to be taken off on a stretcher and looked distraught as she left the pitch

They lost to 2-1 at Everton on Sunday in the WSL and were also defeated 3-0 by Barcelona in the Champions League last night, although this did not affect their progression to the quarterfinals.

And with the Euros beginning on July 2, there could be a race against time to ensure that the City captain is fit in time for the competition.

Posting on social media, Greenwood said: ‘Not the ending to 2024 that I had planned. 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 family who always give their time to me. Thank you for all the support this year, see you all soon.’

Greenwood has been added to City’s growing list of injury problems, with Vivianne Miedema also out with a long-term knee injury and star striker Bunny Shaw ruled out until January. England winger Lauren Hemp is also not expected to be back until the new year.

The silver lining comes in the fact City are not due to play again until January 12, when they take on third-tier Ipswich Town in the FA Cup, giving them a three-and-a-half week break before the fixtures come thick and fast once again.

The Lionesses are not due to play until the end of February, when they take on Portugal and Spain in the Nations League.