Arsenal midfielder Lia Walti will miss Arsenal's last two remaining games of the season, but manager Jonas Eidevall gave positive news concerning Walti's race to fitness ahead of the summer's Women's World Cup.
The Switzerland international was stretchered off in Arsenal's 4-1 win over Everton midweek following a reckless challenge from Chelsea loanee Aggie Beever-Jones, who was shown a red card for the tackle.
The extent of Walti's injury was unclear in the immediate aftermath, though the 30-year-old looked in serious pain as Eidevall was forced once more to make space on his ever-growing injury list as the league season crests to a close.
And the Gunners boss revealed in his pre-match press conference ahead of a heady London derby with league leaders Chelsea that while the initial prognosis rules the Switzerland captain out for the remainder of Arsenal's season, Walti's ambitions to lead out her country at the summer's showpiece event are not dashed.
"She's out for the season for us but the initial examination is that it's not too bad," Eidevall said on Friday.
"It's not a multiple-months injury, so she should be able to recover in the time before the World Cup which is of course very important for her as a player.
"I'm very happy for her that it wasn't more serious - I was afraid it could be so that was a relief, but unfortunately she can't be on the pitch for Arsenal this season."
Beever-Jones penned an emotional apology following the challenge and subsequent her ejection. Walti responded to the 19-year-old's online missive with an entreaty for "no hate or bad comments towards Agnes Beever-Jones", adding that "football is a contact sport, these injuries are unfortunately part of our game."
Walti, who has made 18 WSL appearances for the Gunners this season, is the latest woe to add to Eidevall's injury travails this season.
The event marred an otherwise impressive performance from the Gunners, which saw them pip Manchester City to third in the WSL table, ensuring qualification for next season's Women's Champions League lies firmly in their hands with two games remaining.
But a weekend clash with league leaders Chelsea followed by a final day showdown with high-flying Aston Villa pose serious challenges for Arsenal who will need to finish strong to ensure European football next season.
Arsenal face Chelsea at Kingsmeadow at 12:30pm on Sunday.
