Sonia Bompastor Rules Out Millie Bright for FA Cup Clash but Welcomes Back Defensive Star | OneFootball

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has given an update on her squad’s fitness ahead of Sunday’s Women’s FA Cup clash with Manchester United.

She confirmed that captain Millie Bright is still out after picking up an injury earlier this month, which leaves a big gap in Chelsea’s defense for this crucial game.

But there’s some good news for Chelsea. Bompastor said Kadeisha Buchanan is set to return to the matchday squad after being out for months.

The Canadian defender has been recovering from an ACL injury she suffered last November, and her comeback is a welcome boost for a team that’s had to deal with a lot of injuries this season.

Chelsea head into the game hoping to keep up their good run, having recently beaten both Tottenham and Liverpool 2-0.

Even though missing Bright, who picked up an OBE in January, is a setback, the team has defended well lately, and with almost every other first-team player fit, the squad is starting to look strong again.

Sonia Bompastor on Millie Bright’s Ankle Injury

Bompaster, whose Chelsea future was in doubt earlier in the month, revealed: “As you know, Millie got a knock to her ankle in the Tottenham game. She didn’t recover enough to be involved in this game, so we are assessing her every week and making sure she gets back as quickly as possible. For sure, it will be after the international break now.”

It’s difficult for me now to put a time frame on her return, but we’ll have the international break to keep continuing assessing her. Except for Millie, we have everyone available and it will be the same squad for the Liverpool game.”

Bompastor on Kadeisha Buchanan’s Emotional Return

Bompastor said: “We will probably have Kadeisha Buchanan back in the squad for the weekend as well, which is great news. She’s been training fully with us for many weeks now. Yesterday was the first opportunity for her to get some minutes with the Under-18 side.”

“It was great mentally for her to be involved in that game. Keish is in a good place right now, she’s feeling confident. I think it’s exciting for her be in the squad for the weekend game because she’s been injured for quite a long time.”

“I think it’s one of those where you know the player is really excited and confident to be back with the squad, but there will be a certain amount of time before she gets back to this level. So it depends on how many minutes she can get with us. We already have a plan during the international break for her to keep getting training sessions… and the plan is for her to keep evolving.”