Bunny Shaw injury: Man City striker and Women's Super League top scorer could miss title run-in
Manchester City striker Bunny Shaw could miss the rest of the Women's Super League season and their crucial title run-in through injury.
City sit top of the WSL, three points ahead of second-placed Chelsea, who have a game in hand.
However, Shaw, the league's top scorer with 21 goals in 18 games this season, is likely to miss their final three matches after leaving the Joie Stadium in a protective boot on Sunday.
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Shaw, 27, was forced off at half-time due to an injury to her left foot in Manchester City's 5-0 victory over West Ham.
City have not confirmed the severity of the injury or whether she has broken a bone in her foot.
Shaw is the club's all-time leading scorer and has netted three WSL hat-tricks this season.
Mary Fowler or Lauren Hemp could replace Shaw up front for Manchester City, who head to Bristol City on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
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Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:
Manchester City's title tilt has just taken a significant hit. If there's one player you want, nay need, for a title-defining run-in it's your leading scorer.
Consider the WSL race coming down to goal difference - which is very possible - and the need gets even greater. Based on current trajectories, and that's assuming both Manchester City and Chelsea stay perfect between now and the end of term, they would finish locked on 58 points.
The crown would be decided by the barest of margins: who tops the goal difference charts. City are ahead as it stands - 42 plays 39 - but it's tight. Every goal will matter.
Shaw has found the net 21 times this term, averaging a goal every 66 minutes, which equates to 1.36 goals per game. Her consistency is quite remarkable.
For context, since the start of last season the 27-year-old has played 40 games and scored 41 goals, her closest rival being Aston Villa's Rachel Daly (39 played, 29 scored). If you combine goals and assists, Shaw tallies 51. The numbers are extraordinary.
How will City cope without her? Well, capable stand-ins are aplenty, though none as prolific. Both Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp can tuck inside to act as a de facto No 9, while Mary Fowler could also do a job.
Any way you dress it up, this is a considerable blow, but just how damaging is unlikely to be revealed until the season's end on May 18.
April 28: Bristol City vs Man City, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 6.45pm
May 5: Man City vs Arsenal, kick-off 2.15pm
May 18: Aston Villa vs Man City, kick-off 3pm
April 27: Chelsea vs Barcelona, kick-off 5.30pm
May 1: Liverpool vs Chelsea, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 7pm
May 5: Chelsea vs Bristol City, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 6.45pm
May 15: Tottenham vs Chelsea, kick-off 7.15pm
May 18: Man United vs Chelsea, kick-off 3pm
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8 of May 2024
