Ella Toone may be out until 2025 with calf issue sustained in training

Marc Skinner says Manchester United will assess Ella Toone after the international break, with the England midfielder possibly not returning to action until the new year.

Toone has missed United's last two games due to a calf injury suffered in training, and was not selected in Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses squad for the friendlies against the United States on November 30 and Switzerland on December 3.

United travel to Chelsea next Sunday in the Women's Super League, live on Sky Sports, and after the international break they host Liverpool and travel to Crystal Palace, either side of a League Cup tie against Newcastle.

United boss Skinner said at a press conference on Friday when asked about Toone: “We have three games [after the international break and before Christmas].

“There's always hope, but I think you keep your balance and say, 'Okay, if we can get her back, we'll get her back.' But we're just not going to rush her at this point because it's a calf injury. is your walking mechanism. If we damage the walking mechanism, it will take longer.

“So ideally we would like to have her back for those games after that. The projection is that she will miss this match [Chelsea]She will miss the international window, probably miss the first match after that and then we will see.

“But because it is such a short block of just three games, we will assess whether it is worth it or actually reset to come back after Christmas.”

United could also be without striker Elisabeth Terland for the clash with Chelsea at Kingsmeadow.

Skinner said: “Elisabeth in the game against Leicester [2-0 away win last weekend] felt a bit of groin tension, so she missed the mid-week game [2-0 League Cup win at Everton]may also miss the game this weekend, but we hope this isn't a long-term issue.

“Hopefully she can come back after the international break and be fit and healthy.”

Skinner's side went into Sunday's rearranged match unbeaten after seven WSL matches, but had drawn three. They sit fifth, six points behind leaders Chelsea, who have won all their games since Sonia Bompastor succeeded Emma Hayes as boss in the summer.