'We need to get it right for her future' - Chelsea boss Emma Hayes provides injury update on England captain Millie Bright as she continues rehab on knee problem

Bright hasn't played since mid-November due to a knee injury. It has forced her to not only miss key games for Chelsea but also for England, with the Lionesses' skipper - Bright taking that responsibility while Leah Williamson is sidelined - having to withdraw from the squad in December. It meant she missed the two crucial matches that saw England fall short of reaching the UEFA Women's Nations League finals, thus ending Great Britain's chances of qualifying for the Olympic women's football tournament.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Hayes said of Bright: "She's in rehab at the minute and working hard on that. I can't give a timeline for a return, as I've said many times over, but she's in good spirits and she'll be back as soon as she can make it back. I'm sure she'd put her boots on today if I asked but we just need to get it right for Millie's long-term future."

Bright was a crucial absentee as Chelsea fell to a disappointing 4-1 defeat to title rivals Arsenal in December and it seems likely that she will miss some big games in January, too, with the Blues taking on Manchester United in the Women's Super League before concluding their Champions League group stage campaign with games against Real Madrid and Paris FC. She isn't the only big name that will be missing either, following the news this week that star striker Sam Kerr has ruptured her ACL and will be sidelined for the rest of the season.

Chelsea have won the last four WSL titles in succession but injuries to Bright and Kerr mean they face some task in extending their dominance of English women's football and making it five on the bounce this year.

While Bright focuses on her rehab, Chelsea will return to action for the first time after the winter break on Sunday, taking on West Ham in the fourth round of the FA Cup.