England international Lauren Hemp has returned to training following a five-month recovery from knee surgery.
Hemp, 24, has not played since 8 November but took part in training with Manchester City on Friday as they prepared to host Everton.
The forward is one of several key players facing a battle to regain full fitness in time for England’s defence of their European Championship title in Switzerland in July.
England manager Sarina Wiegman confirmed Hemp’s knee issue was not an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury when asked about it in November.
An injury of that severity would in all probability have ruled Hemp out of England’s Euros plans.
Hemp, who usually features as a winger, will now look to build towards full match fitness.
“In this tough period of injuries it has been a real positive week for us,” said Manchester City interim boss Nick Cushing.
“Lauren Hemp trained with the team this week which is huge for us.”
Hemp’s return boosts a City side who have endured an injury crisis and are set to end the campaign without a trophy.
Prior to her injury, Hemp was one of the standout performers in the Women’s Super League this season, scoring twice and assisting five times in seven matches.
Her England and City team-mate Alex Greenwood is continuing her recovery after surgery on a medial collateral ligament (MCL) knee injury, with signs of the club’s treatment room beginning to clear.
“Alex Greenwood and Aoba Fujino have pushed on and stepped up their rehab,” Cushing added. “Rebecca Knaak trained all week and is back with the team now.
“It feels like we are making some quick progress and starting to get players back and the squad is getting that depth that we have back in training. The team will start to look different.”
Confirmation of Hemp’s progress will have been welcomed in the England camp; however, news was less positive from Chelsea, who announced on Friday that Lionesses forward Lauren James has “sustained a hamstring injury and will be out for a period of time”.
How England line up at Euro 2025 remains to be seen. Bayern Munich and England midfielder Georgia Stanway tore the lateral ligament in her right knee during a training session in January and has yet to return.
Read full article at source
exeter.one newsbite last confirmed 1 day ago by Emma Sanders
Stay informed about this story by subscribing to our regular Newsletter
