Chelsea's Sophie Ingle suffers ACL injury ahead of new WSL season

Chelsea midfielder Sophie Ingle, aged 33, has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during a pre-season match against the Dutch team Feyenoord, as announced by the Women's Super League (WSL) champions on Monday.

The captain of the Wales national team was compelled to leave the field in the second half of their 9-0 victory over Feyenoord earlier this month and is now set to undergo surgery.

In a statement, Chelsea indicated, "After evaluation by the club's medical staff and a knee specialist, Sophie will soon have surgery and will subsequently commence a rehabilitation program at the club."

Ingle joins the ranks of notable WSL players who have experienced ACL injuries, following Chelsea forward Sam Kerr and Manchester City midfielder Jill Roord.

The incidence of ACL injuries has been increasing in women's sports, prompting UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, to establish a women's health expert panel in December of the previous year to investigate the growing number of ACL injuries among female athletes.

According to FIFPRO, the global soccer players' union, factors such as heightened workloads, travel demands, and inadequate rest have contributed to the rise in injuries, including torn ACLs, among professional women players.

Chelsea is scheduled to face Aston Villa in their WSL season opener on Friday.