FORMER Somerset student Brooke Aspin could be sidelined for up to nine months after being injured while playing for England Lionesses Under 23s against Norway in the Euro Football Competition at Krakeroy.

Aspin, who made her debut for the country’s Under 23s against the Netherlands in October, was injured after only 20 minutes of the goalless draw against Norway.

She has been playing this season for Crystal Palace who announced following a scan that she has suffered a ‘ruptured ACL.”

“She is absolutely devastated,” says her father Craig who is a former player with Somerset club Wellington. “She has only just managed to get into the Lionesses’ Under 23 squad.”

Aspin has been on loan to Palace this season from parent club Chelsea who signed her from Bristol City last year. She is a former captain of England Under 17s and Under 19s and is regarded as one of the country’s most promising young defenders.

The injury meant Aspin, who came up through the youth ranks of Wellington, missed England’s 2-1 home defeat by Sweden at Doncaster.

In a statement, Palace said: “Everyone at Crystal Palace Women sends their best wishes to Brooke for a smooth and speedy recovery.”