Tottenham defender Ella Morris has pulled out of the England women squad to face Portugal in the Nations League after suffering a serious knee injury in training.
The 22-year-old, who is yet to make her debut for the Lionesses, is set for a lengthy spell out after injuring her cruciate ligament.
She has returned to Tottenham to begin her rehabilitation.
A statement said: “England’s support team will remain in close contact with her and the club. Everyone involved with the Lionesses wishes Ella the very best with her recovery.”
Fifa is funding research into whether hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles could be contributing to the rise in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in women’s football.
ACL injuries are two to six times more likely to occur in women than men and about two-thirds of them happen in women’s football when there is no physical contact.
Manchester City midfielder Laura Blindkilde Brown, 21, has received her third senior call-up and has joined the 26-player squad at St George’s Park as a replacement.
England are already without goalkeeper Mary Earps after her surprise retirement on Tuesday.
The Lionesses will travel to London on Thursday to prepare to face Portugal at Wembley on Friday evening (19:45 BST).
