SYDNEY — England midfielder Keira Walsh was stretchered off in the 35th minute of their Women’s World Cup group-stage match against Denmark on Friday with a leg injury.

The news will come as a huge blow if the injury is serious as Walsh is regarded as one of the world’s best central midfielders and is integral to England.

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Walsh, 26, appeared to injure her right leg as she stretched for a wayward pass. She immediately collapsed to the ground, signalled to the referee for help, bringing the game to a halt.

Television cameras showed Walsh telling physios she had hurt her knee, and after receiving on-field treatment, the England star was stretchered off and replaced by Laura Coombs.

Walsh moved from Manchester City to Barcelona last year for a world-record fee reported to be in the region of $470,000, winning the Liga F and Champions League double in her first season in Spain.

The midfielder will be tough to replace in an England side already missing captain Leah Williamson, Euro 2022 Golden Boot winner Beth Mead and Fran Kirby to serious knee injuries.

“It did look serious, if you can’t walk off the pitch it looks serious,” England manager Sarina Wiegman said of the injury to Walsh, who left the stadium on crutches. “But we just finished the game.”

Information from Reuters contributed to this report.

Sourced from ESPN