Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Maite Oroz is set to be unavailable for the next 'six to eight weeks' with a quad injury according to manager Robert Vilahamn.
Oroz, 26, missed Tottenham's 3-0 away defeat to Manchester United, and Vilahamn, 41, has now confirmed that the World Cup winner will miss the coming weeks.
"She was one of our big signings and I think she was one of the best players in the first few games," Vilahamn told VAVEL. "She has a quad injury; it's unexpected and it's not like there was any reasoning behind that. It was more of an accident in training."
This means that Oroz will be unavailable for at least Spurs' next five matches in all competitions – including the North London Derby against Arsenal – and she may miss the following four games before the winter break.
"We have good players who can replace her, but she is one of the most technical players, so we are going to miss her. But, a part of this game is to make sure we have a good squad and the players coming in can get the chance to show where they are," her manager later added.
"I will always try to see injuries not as a good thing, but as a good thing for the group because then other players can get the minutes to show where they are. [It's] unlucky because I really like Maite and what she's done."
During his pre-match press conference, Vilahamn also confirmed that Amanda Nilden and Ella Morris should be available for selection, but Hayley Raso will miss out with a 'soft-tissue injury'.
“Amanda [Nilden] is back in training so hopefully she can be playing on Sunday but will be checked on Saturday to make sure we have the right progress on her," Vilahamn stated.
“Hayley [Raso] is still out this weekend; she’s on the field but not really back yet. Ella [Morris] is back in full action so, if everything goes well, will be ready for Sunday but Shuang [Wuang] and Amy [James-Turner] are not ready yet – that’s where we are right now.”
Jessica Naz "can probably start for the Lionesses"
Jessica Naz kept her place in England's squad for their upcoming friendlies against Germany and South Africa. The winger, 24, made her debut for the Lionesses against Ireland in July.
Despite fierce competition, Naz is strongly admired by England manager Sarina Wiegman. Vilahamn has spoken with the Dutchwoman about Naz's form this season, and the Swede believes she can go up another level comfortably after an impressive journey.
"Her journey with me – and how she has worked – it has been great to see her come from in-and-out [of the team], injured and not playing too much to taking a starting position and being a really good threat, handling out of possession, how we press and creating chances," he stated to VAVEL.
Despite the call-up, her club manager also believes she has not been 'great' this season, epitomising Spurs' attacking struggles in their opening four WSL matches.
"I think if you look at the first few games this season, she has been good but she has not been great. She still needs to be consistent [when] finishing one-on-one, scoring goals and doing assists, so there is still stuff to improve," he added.
"She is still very good in games and I am really pleased with what she has done, but I also know that the potential in her is so much higher. When she can become more consistent, create more chances, and score more goals, she can probably start for the Lionesses.
"When I speak to Sarina [Wiegman], they see the same stuff we see. More to come, she can be even better, but already she is a top player in this league."