England and Aston Villa goalkeeper Hannah Hampton has issued an injury update amid reports she's been dropped by club and country over 'attitude' problems.
The 21-year-old was declared fit for Villa's meeting with Chelsea in the Women's Super League last weekend, but instead watched from the stands as her side succumbed to a 3-1 defeat. She hasn't featured for her club since their opening two league wins against Manchester City and Leicester City.
Reports emerged this week suggesting Hampton has been dropped by Sarina Wiegman over 'attitude and behaviour problems' and she wasn't named in the squad to take on Japan and Norway this month.
However, Hampton has since shut down such rumours and released a statement on Tuesday confirming she has been suffering with an ongoing medical issue. She added she will undergo a procedure this week.
"I just wanted to give you all an update on my season so far," she wrote on social media. "I've been suffering with an ongoing medical issue for a while and it's time to finally address it properly this week with a small procedure.
"l'Il be out for a few weeks now as | recover with the support of everyone at the club, but will be watching the girls and cheering them on."
She's now issued a further update and shared a photo from hospital, along with the caption: "Can’t wait to be back.."
Villa boss Carla Ward also confirmed the procedure when she addressed the media on Friday, saying: “She (Hampton) has a reoccurring muscle injury. She’ll undergo a small medical procedure tomorrow. After that, she’ll be back in contention."
Hampton joined Villa in the summer of 2021 after four years with rivals Birmingham City. She followed manager Ward, who also joined Villa from City earlier that year.
She earned her first senior England call-up in February 2020 at just 19 years of age. She made her debut earlier this year in a 0-0 draw against Spain.
Hampton was part of Wiegman's squad that made history this summer with the nation's first major women's football trophy at the Euros. However, she was absent from their World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Luxembourg a month later.
The Lionesses manager said at the time: “She has some personal issues that she has to solve so for her, at this moment, it’s better for her to stay at her club."
