Lionesses star Hannah Hampton pulls out of Chelsea's starting XI for Champions League clash with Real Madrid with Catarina Macario and Erin Cuthbert already missing

Hampton was set to start in between the sticks as the Blues kicked off their European campaign but pulled out of the team before kick-off, with Zecira Musovic instead emerging from the tunnel at Stamford Bridge as the starting goalkeeper.

Chelsea were already without a number of key players going into the game. As well as long-term absentees like Sam Kerr, Mia Fishel and Sophie Ingle, Niamh Charles was still sidelined with a shoulder injury, Kadeisha Buchanan was suspended and Erin Cuthbert and Catarina Macario were also missing, amid reports that there had been a sickness bug during the week.

According to broadcaster DAZN, Hampton was "taken ill" before kick-off and that is why Musovic had to be drafted in for what was her first start of the new season.

The Blues will certainly hope that Hampton, Cuthbert and Macario can all be back available for their next fixture, with them set to take on London rivals Arsenal in the Women's Super League on Saturday.