Workington Reds Ladies have been hit with the bad news that last season’s top goal scorer, Hayley Bracken, is set to miss most, if not all of the new season.
She has been diagnosed with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ALC) and a damaged meniscus.
Hayley was injured in a heavy tackle in January and was missing for most of the end of the season and only featured in the final three games.
Although she was back up and running in late March, she could feel that something wasn’t quite right and asked for a second opinion.
She had an MRI scan in June which indicated the extent of the injury and was then referred to Wrightington Orthopaedic Hospital near Wigan.
Hayley received her MRI scan results in early July and found out exactly what was wrong.
“I couldn’t believe what the MRI scan had shown as I had been able to play in the last three games of the season and had also been able to play several matches in the Women’s Summer league,” she said.
She then met with her consultant in early August.
She said: “The ACL repair should be a routine operation, but they won’t know what the situation is with my meniscus injury until they have a look inside as there are several possible outcomes.
“The issue with my meniscus has undoubtedly advanced the timing of my operation. I was told the sooner I get operated on, the higher the chance of success.
“I have been given a date in the middle of September to go in for my operation and I have just got to be patient and accept that there is a process to go through before I can start to play football again.
“In reality I do not know what the season will bring or if I will even be able to play at all, but I feel really confident in my consultant and how they plan to look after me over the coming months as they have already started talking about rehabilitation programs and how they will support me through the process.
“I am obviously desperately disappointed not being able to play football, but I will be cheering them on as much as possible.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that I will come back bigger, stronger and even more driven to make up for lost time.
“I’d like to thank my close family and friends for the support that I have received off them all and a special thank you to my work for being so understanding and supportive especially with the pending time off after the operation.”
Manager Paul Mackenzie said: “It’s been a bitter blow for Hayley, her team-mates, coaches and myself as well.
“Not just because we will have to do without her whilst she recovers, but more importantly, because we know how much playing football for the club means to Hayley and how it will frustrate her not being able to contribute to the team’s performance.
“There’s a long journey ahead for Hayley and we really want her to know that we will be there for her every step of the way.
“Hayley’s a big personality in the club as well as a big asset to have in your team. We won’t be the same team with her missing and we will have to adapt going forward”.
Hayley isn’t the only player that is unavailable through injury as she is joined by three other members of the squad.
Chloe Henderson is receiving treatment on a reoccurring knee issue and Sophie Birkett sustained a bad ankle injury in last weekend’s friendly tournament at Penrith.
Both could be out for up to a month or so while Sydney Bragg also picked up a dead leg at Penrith but she is hoping to get back to training next week.
