Chelsea and Wales midfielder Sophie Ingle is set for a lengthy spell off the pitch after sustaining a significant knee injury. The 33-year-old tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during Chelsea's pre-season victory over Feyenoord on 7 September.

Chelsea confirmed that Ingle will require surgery, stating: "After being evaluated by the club’s medical team and a knee specialist, Sophie will soon undergo surgery followed by a rehabilitation period at the club."

The injury rules Ingle out of Wales' critical Women's European Championship 2025 qualifying matches against Slovakia next month. Additionally, she will miss a significant portion of Chelsea's season, including their Women's Super League (WSL) opener against Aston Villa this Friday.

Manager Sonia Bompastor revealed that Ingle was injured early in the second half of the Feyenoord match, after taking a knock to her knee.

Ingle, who has made 139 appearances for Wales since her debut in 2009, will leave a noticeable void in both Chelsea's and Wales' lineups. Wales, ranked 31st in the world, will begin their first leg of the qualifying play-off against Slovakia on 25 October, with hopes of reaching the 2025 finals in Switzerland.

Ingle, who also plays in defense, holds the record for most appearances in the WSL, surpassing the previous milestone of 183 matches in November 2023. She began her football journey at Vale Wanderers in Dinas Powys and Cardiff City Ladies, later moving to Chelsea, with stints at Bristol Academy and Liverpool before rejoining Chelsea in 2018.