BROKEN LEG A BLOW TO WOMEN’S EURO HOPES
ENGLAND KEEPER BARDSLEY RULED OUT OF LADIES’ PUSH FOR GLORY IN HOLLAND
England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley has been ruled out for the remainder of Women’s Euro 2017 by a broken leg.
The Manchester City player suffered a fractured fibula during Sunday’s quarter-final win over France.
It had been hoped Bardsley would still be able to feature in the tournament, but the full extent of the injury has now become clear following medical assessment and she will instead remain with the group in a supporting role.
The news is a blow ahead of tomorrow’s semi-final against host nation Holland, but Bardsley had already been rated highly doubtful for the match in Enschede.
Liverpool’s Siobhan Chamberlain, who played the closing stages against France and started the group clash with Portugal, is set to take over.
South Shields-born Lionesses defender Demi Stokes commiserated with her stricken team-mate but insisted the remainder of the side would not take their eye off the prize.
“It’s really unfortunate what’s happened to KB. It’s a realshameandsomethingyou wouldn’t want to happen to your worst enemy,” the Manchester City full-back said.
“The whole team are around her and she’s got our full support. But this stuff happens in tournament football and it’s important to stay together as a group and remain focused.
“Karen has played a big role in the squad and helped us get where we are. It’s absolutely right that she stays out here and she’s still a teammate, that doesn’t stop.
“We’re confident in Siobhan, we know she can get the job done and that’s why we have a squad here. Anyone who gets picked we are confident in.”
Manager Mark Sampson will make one more enforced change, with Sunderlandborn midfielder Jill Scott ruled out through a onematch suspension.
Sampson nevertheless is convinced his side are prepared for anything – including penalties – having made impressive progress through the tournament.
The Lionesses, skippered by ex-Sunderland player Steph Houghton, have scored 11 goals in their four games and conceded just one.
Sampson said: “From our point of view, you want to get the job done in 90 minutes. If not 90, 120.
“But the players have prepared for every scenario.
“They’re very clear on their penalty process and they’ve done what they need to do to feel very confident should that moment come.
“This team feel like we’re ready for anything that can be thrown at us and we can find a way to get the result we want. If that is penalties, so be it. Whatever it takes to get in this final we’re willing to get it done.
“It’s probably been a long time since there has been a genuine belief that an England team can go on and win a major championship. So we take immense pride from that and huge confidence.”