Leah Williamson posts heartbreaking statement after being ruled out of the World Cup

Leah Williamson has put out the first statement following the news that she will be injured for the World Cup, and it's heartbreaking.

England captain Williamson worried fans in midweek when she went off injured early in Arsenal massive WSL game with Manchester United.

The midfielder limped off after just 15 minutes, after a stretcher was initially called onto the pitch, leaving many expecting the worst news.

On Friday afternoon that was confirmed, with Arsenal revealing that she had ruptured her ACL, meaning months of rehab that will keep her out for some time.

The awful news means that the 26-year-old joins fellow Arsenal stars Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema on the sidelines with the same injury.

Following the team's statement confirming the injury, Williamson took to social media to say something about her feelings on the situation, and it's clearly very hard for her.

"Until I have the words to express my feelings properly I will struggle to verbalise them," she said on Instagram.

"The noise around the situation is loud and I need some quiet to let it all sink in.

"Unfortunately the World Cup and Champions League dream is over for me and everyone will think that's the main focus, but it's the day to day of what I’m about to go through that is the most draining of my thoughts.

"I haven't had a day since last October when I’ve walked on to the pitch without a physical or mental question mark over me, and that's professional sports.

"So now I have to listen to my body, give it what it needs and if everything happens for a reason, then we'll see what road this turn sends me down.

"I have given and will continue to give everything that my body, mind and heart possibly has to the Arsenal and Lionesses, I will still be there through thick and thin for all of my teammates and their biggest supporter.

"I feel your love and support, so thank you! all I ask is for a little bit of time and space to deal with all that is to come...xxx."

The Lionesses' captain received a huge amount of support from within the game, with the team's official account replying, "We are with you. Always."

Ian Wright added, "We love you."

England hero from the Euros final, Chloe Kelly, said, "With you all the way sending you so much love."

Aston Villa star Rachel Daly, posted, "Sending you all the love in the world Lele. You’ll be back better than ever xxx."

Mead, who will also miss this summer's tournament in Australia and New Zealand, took to Twitter to say, "We are with you every step of the way Leah Williamson. Even if I have to be quiet some days in rehab. We got you girl , all the love and strength in the world."

Miedema also had a similar thought, saying, "Gutted for you. Small steps every day and we can have some quiet rehab days together."

It is the latest in a long line of high profile ACL injuries in the women's game, with a number of factors contributing to the issue in women's sport as a whole.

Williamson will miss the end of the current campaign, with Arsenal still just in the title hunt, despite the loss to United, and in a Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg, the first leg in Germany on Sunday.