Sheffield United midfielder Alethea Paul has been ruled out of action for the remainder of the season after sustaining an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury.
The Blades have confirmed via their official club website that the player sustained her injury in training and she is now expected to spend around nine months on the sidelines.
Paul will soon undergo surgery on her injury before spending a period in rehabilitation. Should her recovery go well, the midfielder could return to training during Sheffield United’s pre-season programme ahead of the 2020/2021 campaign.
The 22-year-old midfielder is currently in her third season with Sheffield United after joining the club from top tier side Manchester City. Paul’s latest appearance in a red and white shirt came last month as Neil Redfearn’s side defeated Coventry United 4-0 at the Butts Park Arena in the group stage of the FA Women’s Continental League Cup.
Paul has made five appearances for Sheffield United in all competitions this season with one of those outings coming as the start. She has been a substitute for The Blades in nine of their matches this season.
Sheffield United lost further ground in the FA Women’s Championship promotion race after being held to a 3-3 draw by Blackburn Rovers at The Technique Stadium on Sunday. Redfearn’s side are five points adrift of league leaders Leicester City after 10 matches.