Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw is set to miss the rest of the season with a foot injury in what is a huge blow to Manchester City’s Women’s Super League (WSL) title hopes.
The striker scored a first-half brace in the Blues’ 5-0 rout of West Ham United on Sunday afternoon before picking up the problem on the stroke of half-time. She was replaced at the break by England international Chloe Kelly and could be seen on crutches at the full-time whistle with her foot in a protective boot.
City boss Gareth Taylor was initially quick to downplay the severity of Shaw’s injury, noting that players are often given crutches to help “offload” them after picking up a knock. However, the club confirmed on Friday that the issue is worse than first feared and will keep the Jamaica international out for the rest of the season.
It is a sucker punch for Taylor’s side, who are currently three points clear at the top of the WSL table, although second-place Chelsea do have a game in hand. Shaw has scored 21 goals in 18 WSL appearances this term and became the first player in the league’s history to register a goal involvement in ten consecutive games with her brace against the Hammers.
With the Jamaican having been in such formidable form, her absence will be a cause for concern for City, who have three WSL games remaining this season. The Blues will take on relegation favourites Bristol City next weekend before hosting third-place Arsenal at the Joie Stadium on May 5.
They will then travel to the West Midlands to take on Aston Villa on the final day, with Taylor’s side hoping to win the club’s first WSL title since 2016 this term. The Blues do have a number of attack-minded players who are capable of stepping up while Shaw is sidelined, with England forward Kelly likely to return to the starting XI after being relegated to a place on the bench in recent weeks.
