Sandy MacIver has torn her ACL and will now begin her recovery at Man City; Khiara Keating has also picked up a knock; Ellie Roebuck has been sidelined this season with health issues; Man City are three points ahead of Chelsea in the WSL title race, but have played a game more
Sunday 14 April 2024 19:14, UK
WSL leaders Manchester City Women are facing a goalkeeper crisis with Sandy MacIver having torn her ACL, adding to issues with Khiara Keating and Ellie Roebuck.
The goalkeeper sustained the injury during Scotland's 0-0 draw with Serbia in Euro 2025 qualifying on April 5, but underwent successful surgery earlier this week and will now begin her rehabilitation at Man City.
It further adds to concerns for Man City with the club, as it stands, having no fit senior goalkeepers.
City are also monitoring a knee injury picked up by current starting goalkeeper Keating, who pulled out of the England squad last week.
The club has already been without Roebuck for the season, with the stopper revealing recently that she was recovering from an "occipital infarct" - but has suffered "no lasting damage to her brain function or vision".
An infarct is defined as "an area of necrosis in a tissue or organ resulting from obstruction of the local circulation", according to US reference publisher Merriam-Webster. The occipital lobe sits at the back of the head and is the visual processing area of the brain.
Although Roebuck said she is now "on the road to recovery", it is unlikely she will be available to play this season.
Man City are currently top of WSL, three points ahead of Chelsea, but have played a game more.
Sky Sports News reporter Anton Toloui: "This is pretty much the worst-case scenario for Man City. Their three senior goalkeepers are out or are a major doubt.
"The options for Man City aren't massive. They haven't got a lot of options at the table.
"They can look at the free agency market, but that is a very shallow pool. Arsenal did it earlier this season, bringing in Sarah Bouhaddi on a short-term deal while they dealt with injuries and a player being away at the Gold Cup.
"Man City may well have to do something similar, but to go out and sign an experienced goalkeeper that won't see the quality dip, that's not going to be very easy at all for Man City.
"They are currently top of the WSL and it's the tightest title race we've seen for some time. Man City are trying to win the league for the first time since 2016.
"They will be doing all they can to make sure Keating is back for their game in the league next Sunday and make sure they are well-stocked in the goalkeeping department as they look to secure the title."
Sky Sports will show up to 44 Women's Super League matches in the 2024/25 season - more than any other broadcaster - extending the partnership with the league.
Sky Sports first secured the rights to the WSL in 2021, signing a three-year deal alongside the BBC, and has now renewed terms for next season.
The games will be available to Sky Sports customers and streamed on Sky Sports with NOW.
Since 2021, viewing on pay TV has increased four-fold. Each season on Sky Sports, fans have watched in record-breaking numbers, with the Manchester derby on March 23, 2024 achieving a peak audience of nearly 600,000 and an average audience of 485,000.
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