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England Facing Injury Crisis Ahead of World Cup Quarter-Final With Centre-Back Pair 'Major Doubts'

England are facing a serious injury problem ahead of their World Cup quarter-final clash with Norway on Thursday night, with first choice centre-backs Steph Houghton and Millie Bright both "major doubts" for the match.

Houghton is struggling with an ankle injury picked up at the end of Sunday's round of 16 win over Cameroon, when young Indomitable Lionesses forward Alexandra Takounda came straight through the back of the England skipper on the sideline.

The Manchester City captain stayed down for some time, being withdrawn from the post-match press conference for treatment – and coach Phil Neville admitted on Wednesday that he only has a 50/50 chance of having his captain available to face the best attacking side England have come up against in the tournament thus far.