Reign ease concerns over Wales legend Fishlock

Seattle Reign have allayed fears that Wales legend Jess Fishlock's career could come to a premature end due to injury.

Midfielder Fishlock, 39, was carried off on a stretcher during last weekend's National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) defeat to Utah Royals, just days after announcing that she will retire at the end of this season.

Head coach Laura Harvey says that despite initial concerns, Reign are hopeful Fishlock will return to action before the campaign ends in November.

"For the most part I think the fear at the moment and immediately after the game was that this might rule her out for the year," she said.

"I think we are pretty positive that that's not going to be the case, so that was the best news we could have had."

Fishlock left the field with her head in her hands having landed awkwardly after she jumped to avoid a team-mate's shot.

Reign described initial X-rays on the injury as "negative", but the outlook is now more encouraging for captain Fishlock.

Image caption,

Jess Fishlock has helped Seattle Reign to three NWSL Shields and three NWSL Championship appearances, while she was the league's MVP in 2021

The NWSL regular season is due to end on 1 November, with the play-offs to come later that month.

There is a break in the season in June as a result of the men's World Cup being co-hosted by the USA.

Harvey says Fishlock could return to action faster than many players would having "watched her recover from many injuries".

"I know Jess very well. Her body reacts differently than most human beings, in a positive way, to injury and her recoveries are often quicker than most just because of who she is," Harvey said in an interview posted on social media by Reign.

"But with this one we obviously want to make sure we do it right, we get her back safely. I think the summer break is probably a blessing in disguise in regards to timelines, so we'll see.

"I think overall from how I felt when I saw it [happen] and what the initial fears were, I think everything has been positive after that."

Reign revealed last week that Fishlock, who has played for the club since their inaugural year in 2013, is to end her stellar career at the end of this season.