Leeds United Women winger Paige Williams facing long spell on sidelines

Leeds United Women winger Paige Williams is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Williams revealed on her personal Twitter account on Saturday [16 September] that she has torn her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and has a grade 2 tear in her medial collateral ligament (MCL).

It almost certainly means the end of Williams' campaign, which only got under way last month.

The 22-year-old posted: "It pains me to say this but unfortunately I have recently found out I have torn my ACL & have a grade 2 tear in my MCL.

"The long road to recovery starts now and Im determined to be back in a Leeds shirt again! I already can’t wait to be back with my teammates."

Rest up

As Williams herself said, this is going to be a long road back.

The injuries she has sustained are among the worst a footballer can suffer, even more damaging than a broken leg itself.

Not that there is ever a good time to be ruled out, but the fact her setback has come so early in the campaign is particularly cruel.

Williams, who is known for her trickery and pace, will now spend time resting up before starting work in the gym and then on the training field, hopefully ready to play a part at the start of next season.

It is a blow for Leeds, who made a superb start to the season with four successive victories in all competitions, only to taste defeat against Middlesbrough last weekend.

The Whites are back on home soil on Sunday [17 September] when taking on Durham Cestria in league action.

In other Leeds United news, the men's side have a chance to prove Gordon Strachan right in wake of his "embarrassment" comments.