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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Kirby withdraws from England squad</li><li>No plans to recall Kirby in this break</li><li>England to face Italy</li></ul>

Another injury setback for Fran Kirby! England and Chelsea dealt blow as attacker is forced to withdraw from Lionesses squad

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The attacking midfielder did not feature in the Lionesses' rampant 7-2 victory over Austria after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/injury-england-fran-kirby-lionesses-ella-toone-austria/blteefe4cdc7e5e9e04" target="_blank">being injured in the warm-up</a> and would have been aiming to get some minutes in an England shirt against Italy on Tuesday. However, Kirby has been forced to return to London from the camp in Spain for assessment on the minor injury.

WHAT HAPPENED?

On Kirby's injury, England <a href="https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2024/Feb/18/england-womens-squad-updates-february-2024/" target="_blank">released a statement</a> saying: "Fran Kirby has withdrawn from the England camp in Spain and will return to Chelsea for further assessment on a minor knee injury reported before the Austria match. At this stage, there are no plans to call a replacement into the senior squad."

WHAT ENGLAND SAID

Kirby will be disappointed not to have had the opportunity to showcase her talents for England this break after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-super-fran-kirby-brace-assist-chelsea-sunderland-5-0-league-cup/bltc40db29e7478cb74" target="_blank">returning to regular football, and form</a>, this season for Chelsea. Kirby missed the Lionesses' World Cup campaign through another injury to her knee and will be desperate to remind Sarina Wiegman that she can be a starter as they look to defend their crown at next year's European Championship.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Kirby will return to Chelsea in order to have her knee assessed. She will have the Blues' next game against Leicester in mind as she looks to recover from this minor setback. Chelsea remain top of the WSL but <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/sarina-wiegman-winners-losers-jess-park-lionesses-man-city-wsl-title-race-chelsea/blte8ea065d994e7590" target="_blank">equal on points with Manchester City.</a>

WHAT NEXT FOR KIRBY?

Another injury setback for Fran Kirby! England and Chelsea dealt blow as attacker is forced to withdraw from Lionesses squad | Goal.com

Chelsea&apos;s Frank Kirby has withdrawn from the England camp in Spain after picking up yet another knee injury.