A third Women’s Super League player has sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the space of two weeks after Everton confirmed that Aurora Galli, the Italy midfielder, has become the latest to be sidelined.

The 27-year-old’s setback comes after the Chelsea and Wales midfielder Sophie Ingle and the Crystal Palace full-back Jorja Fox, on loan from Chelsea, also sustained the same injury.

It is not known how long they will be unavailable but a player sustaining an ACL injury in September is unlikely to feature again for the season. Recovery times typically range from six to 12 months depending on the severity of the damage to the ligament.

Everton said in a statement: “A scan this week confirmed Galli’s injury and the 27-year-old will now undergo rehabilitation at Finch Farm under the care of Everton’s medical team. Everyone at Everton is thinking of Yaya [Galli] and wishes her all the best with her recovery.”

It is the second time Fox has endured an ACL injury, while the Crystal Palace forward Elise Hughes also sustained ACL damage in April. The Crystal Palace manager, Laura Kaminski, said Hughes is in a “pivotal stage of rehabilitation now”, adding: “She has moved outside in terms of running, so she gets to see the green stuff again and that’s a big turning point for her.”

The problem of ACL injuries in the women’s game has been brought into sharp focus of late. A number of WSL players are still recovering from ACL injuries sustained earlier in 2024, including the Chelsea duo Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel as well as the Arsenal midfielder Victoria Pelova.

Manchester City have been without the Scotland goalkeeper Sandy MacIver since April because of the same injury, while they also had one of their new summer signings, the Japan full-back Risa Shimizu, injure her ACL at the Olympic Games.

There was better news for the City midfielder Jill Roord, who ruptured her ACL in January but should be fit to return in time for the WSL meeting with Brighton on Sunday.