Chelsea ace Mia Fishel out for rest of season after sustaining knee injury on USA international duty

CHELSEA have been dealt a fresh injury blow with Mia Fishel rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament during international duty.

Today the club confirmed the Blues forward suffered a serious knee injury whilst away with the United States women’s national side.

GettyMia Fishel is set to be assessed by a medic at Chelsea after sustaining a knee ligament injury[/caption]

ReutersTwo-time World Cup winner Alex Morgan has been called as Fishel’s replacement in the USA’s squad[/caption]

The American’s national team are competing in the Gold Cup this month and are due to play the Dominican Republic tomorrow in the first of three group stage games in the contest.

A statement on the Blues’ web site says Fishel will be “assessed by a specialist in the coming days and before beginning rehabilitation with the club’s medical team at Cobham”.

And the USA, who will be managed by Emma Hayes when she leaves Chelsea at the end of this season, have called up Alex Morgan in Fishel’s place

Fishel is the third Blues Women’s star to have their season cut short by a long-term injury this term.

Defender Aniek Nouwen is currently sidelined after tearing her knee ligament whilst away with the Netherlands Under-23s last December.

And star striker Sam Kerr is working on her recovery after suffering an ACL injury during Chelsea’s winter training camp in Morocco in January.

Fishel, who joined the league leaders last August on a three-year deal from Mexican club Tigres, has made 10 top-flight appearances this term.

The California-born forward, who started in four of those matches, has notched up one goal and one assist in the WSL this term.

HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL

GettySam Kerr is working on her rehabilitation after sustaining a knee injury in January[/caption]

With both Kerr and Fishel sidelined, Chelsea will continue turn to British transfer record-signing Mayra Ramirez for goals along with Lauren James, Guro Reiten, Fran Kirby and their team-mates.

And rising star Aggie Beever-Jones could be in line for more minutes with the Blues starlet having registered five goals in 10 WSL games.