Ingle of Chelsea has sustained an ACL injury prior to the upcoming WSL season

The Women’s Super League (WSL) champions announced on Monday that Chelsea midfielder Sophie Ingle suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during their pre-season encounter against Feyenoord, a Dutch team.

Early this month, the 33-year-old Wales skipper was substituted during the second half of their 9-0 victory against Feyenoord and will now have surgery.

Sophie will soon undergo surgery after being evaluated by the club’s medical staff and a knee specialist, and will then begin a period of rehabilitation at the club,” Chelsea added.

Ingle has just been one of the prominent WSL players to experience an ACL injury, following Chelsea attacker Sam Kerr and Manchester City midfielder Jill Roord.

In December of last year, the European soccer governing body UEFA established a women’s health expert team to investigate the increasing incidence of ACL injuries among female athletes in women’s sports.

A rise in injuries, including torn ACL, among female professional players has been attributed by the worldwide soccer players union FIFPRO to a heavier workload, frequent travel, and inadequate rest.

On Friday, Chelsea will host Aston Villa in their first match of the WSL.