Matt Beard shares Fuka Nagano injury update ahead of Liverpool Women v Chelsea
Matt Beard has revealed Fuka Nagano is in contention to feature for Liverpool Women against Chelsea on Sunday 10 November.
The Reds picked up their second win of the season in a 2-1 win against Aston Villa last time out thanks to a Taylor Hinds brace but suffered another suspected injury setback as Nagano left the pitch 10 minutes into the second half at the Bescot Stadium.
However, Beard shared the latest update on the Japan international via the club’s official website [7 November] and remains hopeful Nagano will be declared fit to start the match at the St Helens Stadium.
He said: “Fuka Nagano had to come off against Villa but we are hopeful she will be available for Sunday when we host Chelsea at St Helens Stadium.
“She had a hole in the ankle which opened up. We’ve got it cleaned up and it’s a bruise, but it was so sore. She tried to play on, but we are hopeful she will be fine.”
Liverpool Women face the biggest test of the season v Chelsea
The Reds have been plagued with injuries thus far this season but will be relieved Nagano is on track to feature against Chelsea on the weekend.
Sofie Lundgaard is expected to miss the rest of the Women’s Super League campaign after sustaining an ACL injury in the 3-2 win against Tottenham, depth in central midfield is already wearing thin.
Furthermore, Liverpool will face the toughest test in the WSL, welcoming last year’s champions Chelsea to St Helens however, the 2-1 loss against Manchester City at Anfield will offer some hope to the side.
Khadija Shaw broke the Reds’ hearts with her 92nd-minute winner, but the current league leaders were dominated throughout the opening 45 minutes and went into the break trailing by a goal, thanks to a wonderful long-range strike by Olivia Smith.
It has hardly been the ideal start for Beard this year. However, despite that “tough” start the side is still in a fantastic position to challenge and the partnership of Marie Hobinger and Fakano in the centre of the park will be vital to helping record a shock victory on Sunday.
Liverpool can go toe-to-toe with the best sides in the division and while the odds are stacked against the hosts for the clash against Chelsea, the squad is more than capable of sending a statement of intent to the league at St Helens.
In other Liverpool news, Arne Slot can no longer ignore a Reds youth sensation after what he did for Under-19s.
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