Kyra Cooney-Cross. Photo: Georgie Lewis / The Women's Game
Arsenal boss Renee Slegers has confirmed that Matildas midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross will miss the rest of the season to spend time in Australia with her family, following her mother’s cancer diagnosis.
The 24-year-old featured prominently at the Women’s Asian Cup, including starting in the Final, despite what has been a devastating few months for her family.
“She stayed in Australia to spend time with her family and we’re respecting that,” Slegers said overnight.
“She won’t be with us for this game and she won’t be with us for the rest of the season.”
Cooney-Cross revealed in January that her mother Jess had been diagnosed with a rare, incurable bile duct cancer.
After returning home to be with family, the midfielder did make her return for the Gunners in the Champions League on February 12, but was dealing with illness prior to arriving in camp for the tournament on home soil.
She missed the opening two matches of the Women’s Asian Cup on home soil, but returned off the bench in the Matildas’ third group game against South Korea.
Cooney-Cross then started both the semi-final and the final as the Matildas fell heartbreakingly short of lifting the trophy on home soil.
She will now focus on things that are more important than football as she spends time with her family and specifically, her mum.
When Jess’ diagnosis was revealed there was support for Cooney-Cross from all over the football community, with Arsenal’s players warming up in her jersey and the club’s fans putting on a special tribute.
Her teammates Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord have returned to the WSL club and are confirmed to be available for Sunday morning AEDT’s derby clash with Tottenham.
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