Chelsea vs Manchester United, Women’s Super League clockwatch live: Score and latest updates from final day

Fran Kirby will not feature in Chelsea’s Women’s Super League finale against Manchester United today but is “feeling in a better place”, boss Emma Hayes has said.

The forward has not played for the Chelsea or England since February, with Hayes saying she has been suffering with a fatigue-related issue.

On Saturday, Kirby tweeted a picture of herself wearing training kit and giving a thumbs up, accompanied by the message “I’m coming”.

Chelsea, currently a point clear of Arsenal at the top of the WSL, will look to retain the title when they host United on Sunday, before facing Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley seven days later. The summer then sees England hosting the European Championship.

Hayes confirmed at her press conference ahead of Sunday’s match that Kirby remained unavailable, and when asked for an update on the 28-year-old, she said: “I don’t think I do have a clear answer.

“It’s fatigue-related. It’s nothing major. What I know is that she’s getting a lot of support and help. She has been out to Barcelona and we’ve been giving her support around how to manage her fatigue, so all the strategies, from nutrition to recovery…

“I think probably the next (thing) is getting the volume right now she’s feeling in a better place, and I think the most important thing is that it’s about Fran.

“She’s on the grass, she’s training, she’s back in individual sessions. That might progress next week, and I think then we’ll take it from there.

“And I know she won’t mind me saying this, she has to take it one step at a time. I don’t think she’s thinking of the summer or a game next week.

“We just have to take it one step at a time and I think we’ve got underneath how to handle some of her symptoms of fatigue, which is the main thing.”

After being out of action from November 2019 having been diagnosed with pericarditis, Kirby returned to help Chelsea win a treble last season and was named WSL, PFA and FWA player of the year.

She had scored six goals in 13 WSL games this term before taking time out.

PA