Chelsea duo Bright and Kirby out of England camp through injury

Chelsea duo Millie Bright and Fran Kirby have been ruled out of action with England this month, according to an official press release from The Football Association.

The pair are both struggling with injuries and are currently being assessed back at their club. It has been reported that Bright has pulled out of camp with an injury while Chelsea teammate Kirby did not report to St George’s Park with the player having sustained a minor injury against Bristol City last weekend. Both players will be involved in virtual team meetings throughout the camp.

Kirby is one senior international cap behind Bright. Bright has 37 caps to her name after making her debut for the Lionesses back in 2016 while Kirby has accrued 36 caps in an England career which started a little over two years prior.

The Football Association have announced that Manchester United defender Millie Turner and Arsenal forward Beth Mead have been called into the camp in place of Bright and Kirby. Turner was unlucky not to be included in the initial group after starring for her club in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League so far this season while Arsenal forward Mead has an opportunity to prove her worth to England coach Hege Riise with the player having been one of the most notable absentees from the initial selection.

England will face Northern Ireland in their first competitive fixture in almost a year at St George’s Park on Tuesday afternoon.