The Manchester City captain, Alex Greenwood, is set for a substantial spell on the sidelines after having knee surgery. The England defender sustained a medial collateral ligament injury during December’s Women’s Champions League win over the Austrian side St Pölten.

The club have not revealed a timeframe for the 31-year-old’s recovery but Lionesses fans will be concerned with the European Championship starting in Switzerland on 2 July.

Greenwood was a crucial part of the starting England side that reached the 2023 World Cup final and has been in good form for City, who are second in the WSL.

In her absence, City lost at Everton in the WSL on Sunday and were comprehensively beaten by Barcelona on Wednesday. Gareth Taylor’s side are also without other key, injured first-team regulars including Khadija Shaw, Lauren Hemp and Vivianne Miedema.

A club statement said: “Manchester City can confirm that Alex Greenwood has had successful surgery on a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury. Our captain was stretchered off in the Blues’ 2-0 Uefa Women’s Champions League win over St Pölten at the Joie Stadium.

“The defender has since undergone a repair of her MCL and will now return to the City Football Academy to work closely with the club’s medical team. Everyone at Manchester City would like to wish Alex a full and speedy recovery.”