Lucy Bronze vows to ‘work hard’ to return to fitness after knee op rules her out of Women’s Champions League clash

LUCY BRONZE aims to return to fitness as swiftly as possible after her knee operation before Barcelona’s Champions League semi-final clash against Chelsea.

Keyhole surgery on the England full-back’s right knee will see her miss her club’s second leg duel at Camp Nou on Thursday.

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Lucy Bronze will be out of action for the Women’s Champions League semi’s decider between Barcelona and Chelsea[/caption]

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The England ace went off injury during the second half of Barca’s 1-0 defeat of Chelsea in their first-leg clash[/caption]

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Barcelona boss Jonatan Giraldez says the full-back has undergone a small operation[/caption]

The operation followed the Lioness star hobbling off during the Catalan giant’s 1-0 defeat of the Blues at Stamford Bridge. 

The Barca defender, 31, came off in the 67th minute of the duel.

She was later spotted sat on the bench with an ice pack on her right leg during the game. 

In an update shared via her Instagram page, Bronze, wrote: “In very good spirits after my knee op yesterday. 

“It’s never easy being sidelined, but I’m as focused as ever to work hard and return to full fitness, hopefully as soon as possible. 

“Thank you to everyone for all of your kind messages already! I couldn’t ask for better support, so thank you

“The hard work has already started already can’t wait to be back on the pitch with this team.”

Bronze injury will no doubt come as a concern to England boss Sarina Wiegman as well as her club.

The Lionesses are contending with injuries to a number of key players ahead of this summer’s World Cup. 

Skipper Leah Williamson and Beth Mead are currently sidelined due to ACL ruptures while Fran Kirby has been out of action since February. 

And Chelsea’s Millie Bright is out for weeks for following a cleanout procedure of a knee cartilage lesion. 

It is thought Bronze is likely to be absent from action for a few weeks. 

Barcelona boss Jonatan Giraldez told reporters: “She had a blockage in her knee. We decided she should have a small operation. 

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Alexia Putellas could be set to make her return to action for Barcelona after being out of action with an ACL injury since last summer[/caption]

“It’s a tiny intervention (she will be out for) just a couple of weeks.” 

Tomorrow’s game could see Alexia Putellas make her highly-anticipated return from an ACL injury. 

The Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder has been out of action since last July when she sustained a knee ligament injury.