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Chelsea Women injury news: CFCW squad return dates

ByCaden Charpentier|
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Sam Kerr of Chelsea reacts following the team's victory during the Barclays Women's Super League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge on November 18, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Sam Kerr of Chelsea reacts following the team's victory during the Barclays Women's Super League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge on November 18, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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Chelsea
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 8: Melanie Leupolz of Chelsea in action during the Barclays Women’s Super League match between Manchester City and Chelsea FC at the Joie Stadium on October 8, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Melanie Leupolz

Possible return date: Dec. 17 vs Bristol City

This one has to be the most mysterious. Similar to Reiten, it has been quite some time since we have since the ex-German international Melanie Leupolz in the No. 8 kit. Leupolz last suited up in the middle of the park against West Ham United on October 14.

This past week, the club published an insightful piece on the German’s decision to move away from the national team and her ideas about what is to come. The club recently began to post Leupolz in training photos via social media, relieving any anxiety that this could be something substantial. There was nothing released about why she was out of the team for so long, but we know now that she is back working at Cobham. There is hope the central midfielder may be fit enough for some minutes prior to the new year.

Catarina Macario

Possible return date: Sometime in 2024

This is a player we are all patiently waiting to see on the pitch in blue for the first time. USWNT international Caterina Macario joined the Blues this past summer, and has yet to make an appearance due to the continuous set backs she has experienced with her torn left ACL.

She was rumored to be back on the field last April. That obviously did not happen. The former Lyon star suffered the injury in the French side’s final league match of the 2021/22 season. The midfielder/forward came off 13 minutes in. Four days later, her crushing diagnosis was announced. Some things are worth waiting for. This is one of them. For now, “Cat” is not included in the Champions League group stage squad.

Here’s an update from Hayes on the potential new face of the club going forward:

"“I don’t think she’ll play this half of the season. I hope (she can) and if she does it will be a bonus. But I don’t think with the time she’s been out that we would take that risk.”"

Katerina Svitkova

Possible return date: Sometime in 2024

There has been little to no talk about the Czech Republic international Katerina Svitkova. In a recent presser, Hayes confirmed that Svitkova’s injury is long-term. There is no timeline for her return to the pitch at this point. Since joining the west London outfit from West Ham United, the 27-year-old has been consistently hit with bad luck. In her debut campaign in blue, the midfielder had surgery on her knee, only competing in three WSL fixtures in 2022/23.

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