Crystal Palace star Elise Hughes has ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament and is set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines, the club confirmed on Wednesday.
Hughes, 23, suffered the injury during the first half of Crystal Palace’s win over Lewes on Sunday – a match in which the Eagles all but confirmed their promotion from the Barclays Women’s Championship.
Embed from Getty ImagesBarring a sensational swing in goal difference, Crystal Palace will be crowned as league champions when they face third-placed Sunderland at Selhurst Park this Sunday. The club confirmed that Hughes will be present.
The Welsh international sits atop of the league’s scoring charts, having netted 16 goals this season. Since linking up with Rhian Wilkinson’s Cymru, Hughes has impressed and looked destined to play a key role in her nation’s qualification campaign ahead of EURO2025.
Hughes ‘will now undergo surgery and rehabilitation,’ the club confirmed in a statement.