Chelsea boss Emma Hayes delivers update on Millie Bright’s injury with date set for Blues captain’s return

Owing to a knee injury, Bright has been absent since November forcing her to miss key matches for both Chelsea and England. Bright, who had been captaining the Lionesses due to Leah Williamson's ACL injury, missed two key fixtures in the Nations League in December. Blues boss Hayes has revealed that Bright will miss another crucial clash this week for Chelsea and could likely be out for the Blues until the next international break, which comes in late February.

Speaking to the media, the outbound Chelsea coach said [via @KathrynBatte on X]: "Do I think it will be before the international break? No, I don’t."

Despite the Chelsea captain having missed almost two months due to the injury, it doesn't seem to have affected Hayes' side in the Women's Super League and the FA Women's Cup. They sit first in the league ahead of Manchester City and have already reached the fourth round of the cup. The Blues will be looking to peak during the second half of the season as they look to give a worthy farewell to Hayes. Her 12-year stint at the club is set to come to an end as she joins forces with the United States women's national team.

The Blues will return to league action for the first time since the end of their winter break, as they take on Manchester United on Sunday, January 21. As Hayes alludes to, Bright will be not back in action for the Blues until after the international break in late February.