England midfielder Georgia Stanway faces a race against time to be fit for Euro 2025 after undergoing knee surgery this week.

Stanway, who has been an ever-present for the Lionesses under Sarina Wiegman, faces months on the sidelines and may not play for Bayern Munich again this season.

The German club said in a statement: “Midfielder Georgia Stanway tore a lateral ligament in her right knee during training at the beginning of the week.

“The 26-year-old underwent successful surgery on Wednesday and will now be out for several months from the Munich team.”

It is another major injury blow for Wiegman, who is already facing the possibility of being without Alex Greenwood for this summer’s tournament in Switzerland.

The Manchester City defender had surgery on her medial collateral ligament (MCL) in December and also faces months of rehabilitation.

Stanway played 50 games for club and country in 2024 and has previously spoken about the physical effects of the demanding schedule in the women’s game.

Speaking in February last year, the midfielder warned players were at risk of potential burnout.

“The best thing you can do is work with country, work with clubs to find out the best solution and hopefully the best solution is giving us a good amount of time of rest.

“It is a potential burnout.The thing that we want as players is that the decision is taken away from us. That’s something that we spoke about last year, is just allowing the team above us to make the decision and then we can just go with it.”

What does Stanway’s injury mean for England?

Stanway has six months to return from injury before the Euros start on 2 July but her absence gives Wiegman a dilemma for the Lionesses’ upcoming Nations League games.

Manchester United’s Grace Clinton could be handed an opportunity to fill the void but the 21-year-old has started only five games under Wiegman.

The England manager could also turn to Man City’s Jess Park, who has been handed more opportunities at senior level.

Park tends to play in the No 10 role as opposed to the central-midfield position that Stanway assumes.

It is likely to be a battle between Park and Clinton for the midfield place next to Keira Walsh. With Ella Toone fit again and back in form, United’s attacking midfielder would be expected to play in the No 10 role behind the front three.

Whoever replaces Stanway in the short term will have to be disciplined in their role. Stanway has been one of the first names on the team sheet in recent years and it will be incredibly difficult for the Lionesses to find a way to play without her.