Ireland fans worried as Katie McCabe sparks World Cup injury concerns

This is a very worrying sight.

The last thing Ireland wanted to see was Katie McCabe hobble off the pitch during Arsenal's win against Bayern Munich in the woman's Champions League. The Irish skipper was seen celebrating the win afterwards with a big boot strapped around her ankle and using crutches to support herself. Ireland are set to play the hosts Australia in just four months, so news on the injury and how serious it may be is making fans nervous. McCabe was forced to leave the pitch around the 89th minute after putting in a terrific performance at left back for the Gooners. The 27-year-old appeared to pick up a painful leg injury and had to be replaced by Lina Hurtig at the end of normal time Vera Pauw's Ireland team are set to play early next month in a round of international friendlies with the teams due to be announced this Friday. https://twitter.com/ArsenalWFC/status/1641161201034960896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1641161201034960896%7Ctwgr%5Eb72e5ed3e49baee0eca7402196cebe3b45ab4427%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fextra.ie%2F2023%2F03%2F30%2Fsport%2Fsoccernews%2Fkatie-mccabe-injury-concerns Although the Ireland captain seemed in good spirits celebrating her club's 2-0 win, the sight of seeing her star player so heavily strapped up will be a big concern for Pauw. Meanwhile, Arsenal's progression to the final four of the Women's Champions League came thanks to goals from Frida Maanum and Stina Blackstenius. Maanum's goal was so sensational, it went viral on social media immediately afterwards, as the Norway star's piledriver of a shot flew perfectly into the top corner to open the scoring. Related links:

• "It's going to be a massive, massive game- probably the biggest in our history" Katie McCabe
• Ireland set for 82,000-seat World Cup opener as Arsenal reject huge Katie McCabe bid
• Vera Pauw breaks down in tears in emotional RTÉ interview after Ireland qualify for World Cup
• "By the head of an English woman" Katie McCabe delivers hilarious speech as Ireland reach World Cup play-offs