It was on Wednesday night that Leah Williamson came off injured during Arsenal's top game against Manchester United (0-1). Now comes a lead-heavy message for the English defender.

Williamson has suffered a cruciate ligament injury, which means she will be off the football field for an extended period of time.

"Leah will now begin a period of rehabilitation and is set for a longer period off the pitch. She will have surgery shortly," Arsenal wrote on their website.

It also means England will have to do without the 26-year-old in this summer's World Cup, which will be played in Australia and New Zealand.

FROM THE ARCHIVE: England wins the European Championship – see the wild celebratory scenes (July 31, 2022)

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Here England takes the European Championship gold – see the wild celebratory scenes Photo: Bildbyrån