Sarina Wiegman did not go into detail over the potential injury to goalkeeper Mary Earps, who was forced to be substituted in England’s European Championship qualifier defeat to France on Friday evening.
Earps left the pitch in tears after just eight minutes into her 50th cap during England’s 2-1 loss at St James’ Park.
The Manchester United star, who is out of contract with her club in the summer, needed treatment after experiencing discomfort while clearing the ball to defender Millie Bright in the first minute.
Despite trying to continue, Earps went down again in the sixth minute and was eventually helped off the pitch, being replaced by Hannah Hampton. The Chelsea goalkeeper had played in England’s previous game, a 2-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland, while Earps remained an unused substitute.
Earps was pictured on crutches while joining the England team huddle on the pitch at full-time.
(Stu Forster/Getty Images)
“Mary got injured and it took about five minutes to get started, then she went down again and had to be substituted,” Wiegman said to ITV Sport. “That was not what we were expecting.
“I can’t say anything (about her injury) because I haven’t spoken to anyone yet.”
Wiegman later specified in her post-match press conference that it is an issue “around her hip”.
“Of course I’m concerned,” she added. “She doesn’t go off the pitch often and she’s on crutches. I really don’t know but of course there are some concerns.”
The 31-year-old has been a mainstay in Wiegman’s side and was the Lionesses’ first choice goalkeeper at Euro 2022 and the 2023 World Cup.
She finished fifth in the Ballon d’Or awards and was named England’s player of the year in 2023.
Beth Mead, meanwhile, opened the scoring for England on the half-hour mark, but France responded with Elisa de Almeida volleying in a corner from Kenza Dali in the 41st minute.
In the 68th minute, Marie-Antoinette Katoto gave the visitors the lead, turning to fire a shot into the far corner past Hampton.
The result keeps France top of Group A3, while England have dropped to third.
(George Wood/Getty Images)
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