Lauren Hemp injury latest and expected Man City return date | OneFootball

Manchester City winger Lauren Hemp has been sidelined with a knee injury since November and is yet to return to action as the Women's Super League season passes the midway point.

The 24-year-old initially missed City's Champions League clash against Hammary and WSL defeat against Chelsea at the beginning of November before it was eventually confirmed she had undergone surgery on a knee injury.

As a result, she was ruled out of England’s final two games of 2024 against the United States and Switzerland, and hasn't featured for City since the 4-0 league win over Tottenham on 8 November.

It was revealed at the time it was not an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, meaning the recovery time wasn't expected to be as lengthy. There was also little to no concern about potentially missng the summer's UEFA Women's European Championship in Switzerland.

City boss Gareth Taylor confirmed in early December Hemp would not be returning until early 2025, but refused to put an exact timeline on her recovery.

"[Lauren's] surgery was really successful, that's the positive news," he said at the time.

Hemp has been sidelined since November / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages

"It was an issue that needed taking care of. As for estimated return, it’s really difficult because each player is different. It will be the new year, there's no doubt. Hopefully, the closer that is to new year, the better for us. For someone like Lauren, they have quick recovery powers."

The New Year has come and gone and City have played four games in 2025, including WSL matches against Manchester United and Aston Villa. They have also played a Women's FA Cup fourth round clash against Ipswich Town and a Subway League Cup quarter-final against United, winning both.

Hemp was not named in the squad for any of those games and it appears a return is not imminent. In a brief update on the winger's fitness ahead of the Manchester derby earlier this month, the manager said: “Alex [Greenwood] and Lauren [Hemp] are in a good place, we know their return isn't immediate."