England winger Hemp returns to training after knee surgery

Lauren Hemp returned to training this week after recovering from knee surgery, Manchester City interim boss Nick Cushing confirmed.

The England winger has been ruled out since her last City appearance on November 8, when she set up three goals in a 4-0 win over Tottenham.

Hemp, who became the youngest player in Women's Super League history to reach 50 goals earlier this season, was initially feared to have suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

However, England boss Sarina Wiegman confirmed that was not the case, with the 24-year-old subsequently undergoing a five-month recovery.

NICK Rebecca Knaak trained all week and is back with the team, Lauren Hemp trained with the team which is huge for us and Aoba Fujino and Alex Greenwood have stepped up their rehab, and Yama is with the goalkeepers. It feels like we're making progress and the squad’s starting… pic.twitter.com/eDPp9kYDV8

— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) April 18, 2025

"In this tough period of injuries, it has been a real positive week for us," Cushing said. "Lauren Hemp trained with the team this week, which is huge for us."

Hemp, who still boasts the joint third-most assists (five) in the WSL despite her prolonged absence, is now in a race to regain full fitness ahead of the European Championship, when the Lionesses defend their title in Switzerland.

Her progress is a timely boost for Wiegman, with Lauren James' participation uncertain due to a hamstring problem, while Georgia Stanway is yet to return from a knee ligament injury.