Chelsea will be without Mayra Ramirez and Nathalie Bjorn for the visit of Arsenal on Friday, with Lauren James and Fran Kirby also both doubts.
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Chelsea already missing Kerr, Bright & moreJames & Kirby now doubts for Arsenal clashRamirez & Bjorn already ruled outWHAT HAPPENED?
The Blues welcome the Gunners to Stamford Bridge on Friday night with just three points separating them in the Women's Super League title race, but Emma Hayes' side have got quite the injury list right now. Sam Kerr, Mia Fishel and Millie Bright are among the club's long-term absentees but Hayes confirmed in her press conference on Thursday that even more could be missing for this London derby.
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"We'll have no Mayra Ramirez, no Nat Bjorn, maybe no Fran Kirby. Lauren James has been sick," Hayes told reporters, adding that defender Maren Mjelde and goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger are also still missing. "There's a big treatment room at this moment in time," she said.
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Chelsea's attack in particular is suffering as a result of these injuries, with Kerr, Fishel and Ramirez all centre forwards. The Blues will be desperately hoping that James and Kirby can be fit to play, then, while Catarina Macario's return from an ACL rupture has come at a perfect time.
DID YOU KNOW?
When Chelsea and Arsenal met in the reverse of this fixture at the Emirates Stadium in December, the Gunners emerged comfortable winners in a 4-1 rout.