Arsenal defender Viktoria Schnaderbeck has withdrawn from the Austrian squad with the player continuing to nurse a knee injury.
The 29-year-old Graz-born centre-back has been struggling with her injury since Arsenal were defeated 1-0 at Manchester United 12 days’ ago.
Schnaderbeck was set to link-up with the Austrian squad for their upcoming UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 qualifiers against France and Serbia but it has today been confirmed by The Austrian Football Association, The OFB, that their captain has withdrawn from the squad.
The defender’s withdrawal is a real blow for Austrian head coach Irene Fuhrmann. The nation face two tough opponents in the space of four days as they look to secure their place at the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 tournament finals. Austria currently trail group leaders France on goal difference, although they have already sealed a place in the play-offs as a worst case scenario. France have the more favourable fixtures with two home games, the other against bottom side Kazakhstan.
Schnaderbeck’s Arsenal teammate Manuela Zinsberger is the only English-based player remaining in the Austrian squad. The 25-year-old is likely to collect her 65 senior international cap against France at the Stade du Roudourou in Guingamp next Friday. The goalkeeper has been a regular member of the Austrian squad since making her debut at the age of 17 in 2013.
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