Manchester City Women FC have been dealt a blow in their title challenge as the League will start next Wednesday with news that two of their players will be missing for a few month due to injuries.

Campbell will have approximately two months of rehab, while Walsh will have four to five months of rehab. It means Campbell is likely to miss the FA Women’s Cup campaign plus seven League games out of 16, while Walsh would miss at least 10 League games.

Injuries are part and parcel of the game and happen at every club but Manchester City Women have gone for quality over quantity for the 2016 season with their official website listing 18 players only. There are three goalkeepers including, one has gone on loan, five defenders, midfielders and forwards.

With those two players injured and the goalkeeper on loan, it leaves City with just 15 fit first team players at the moment. There is now way a title contender would play for half a season with only 15 players, it does not really make sense.

They have 16 development team players who are registered and, therefore, can play in the FA WSL but, of course, those players are not as good as the first team internationals who have a lot of experience.

Considering the transfer window closed on Friday, it is surprising to note that City did not add any players to their squad, unless they have signed players but have not announced them yet. There is also the option of signing non-contracted players who can move outside of the transfer window as they are free agents.

Here is their starting 11 for their season opener away to Liverpool in the FA Women’s Cup  and their five allowed substitutes: Bardsley, Bronze, Houghton, McManus, Stokes, Corboz, Scott, Christiansen, Asllani, Duggan, Ross and the subs Hourihan, Beattie, Parris, Stanway, Tynan. They have one player from their development team among the substitutes.

Arsenal Ladies should definitely try to take advantage of this when the two teams meet on Monday the 28th of March on Matchday two of the FA WSL. It will be the third game in a week for both side and Pedro Losa has 21 players to choose from while Nick Cushing has only 15 fit senior players.