Man City dealt massive double blow as Khadija Shaw & Aoba Fujino ruled out of Champions League clash with Chelsea due to 'significant' muscle injuries

Shaw was already a doubt for Wednesday's European fixture after Man City interim boss Nick Cushing admitted that she left Saturday's League Cup final defeat to Chelsea with a hamstring issue. However, for him to confirm that Fujino, City's scorer in that game, will also be out is a further blow to their attack.

City are already dealing with a lot of other injuries, too. Lauren Hemp has been sidelined since November due to a knee surgery, with the same fate meaning Alex Greenwood has been absent since December. Rebecca Knaak, signed in January to help bolster a backline depleted by the latter's injury, has not played since late February due to a hamstring issue either, with it unclear if she will return.

Speaking in his press conference on Tuesday, Cushing confirmed that both Shaw and Fujino would be unavailable. "Both of them are muscle injuries, so they're probably not going to be ready for this game, but we'll leave it with the medical team," he said. "I think the problem with these type of injuries is it's going to take a few days to even be able to diagnose how long. The problem is, I think they're significant. For me, it's about just leaving it with the medical team, understanding that I've got to find a solution for this game and then we'll roll on to the next one and see where we are."

Asked for more information on the extent of their injuries, Cushing replied: "I think when you've got muscle injuries and you can't diagnose the time frame, it's ultimately not going to be one that you're going to turn around quickly.

"That's two significant players missing, but these moments just give opportunity for other players."

An injury to Shaw at the end of last season coincided with City losing serious ground in a Women's Super League title race they were leading. Fortunately, the team has a more natural back-up for her this time around, in Vivianne Miedema. It's likely that the Dutchwoman will be pushed forward from her midfield role to lead the line, while Jess Park or Laura Blindkilde Brown could come into midfield. January signing Kerolin and young academy product Lily Murphy should compete for Fujino's wide role, though Park can also play in the front line.

Cushing will be left to make those decisions on his starting XI in the next 24 hours or so, as City aim to get some revenge on Chelsea after that League Cup final defeat. The two will also face off again on Sunday, in the league, before the return leg of this Champions League tie takes place in London on March 27. It's a big run of fixtures for the Cityzens, making the news of Shaw and Fujino's injuries being 'significant' particularly tough.