Just realised we don't have a thread for this! Discuss everything going on in women's football here.

Saw in the news yesterday that Rachel Daly is retiring from international football, playing her last match agaist Ireland on Tuesday. She's certainly made quite the impact on the England team in recent years - especially in the Euros and the World Cup.

Wales forward Elise Hughes is facing a significant spell on the sidelines because of a serious knee injury.

 

The striker, 23, ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) playing for Women’s Championship leaders Crystal Palace last Sunday.

 

The news is a blow to new Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson.

 

Hughes scored twice in the win over Kosovo earlier this month to take her Wales tally to three goals in 26 caps.

 

Hughes has impressed for Palace this season, having scored 16 goals in 21 league games, but faces surgery after being substituted in the first half of their win at Lewes.

The Football Association has appointed Sue Day as its new director of women’s football.

 

She will take up her role in December, replacing the outgoing Baroness Campbell, who had joined the FA in 2016.

 

Day joins from the Rugby Football Union, where she had been a board member, chief operations officer and chief financial officer.

 

She is a former England rugby union captain, having won 59 caps for her country.

 

In 2020, she was made an MBE for services to gender equality in sport.

Julie Nelson, Northern Ireland women's record cap holder, would be open to a return to the international set-up under Tanya Oxtoby.

 

Nelson's 130th international was against Italy in November 2022 before an injury-hit 2023 campaign.

 

Oxtoby, who was appointed manager in August, has previously said the "door will continue to be open" when it comes to selection for the 38-year-old defender.

 

"All I can do is focus on playing to the best of my ability and what Tanya decides is up to her," said defender Nelson.

 

"I don't really think that's within my control."

Bristol City manager Lauren Smith says her side will “do whatever they can” as they look to avoid Women’s Super League relegation.

 

The Vixens are seven points adrift at the bottom of the table with just three games left.

 

Completing an unlikely turnaround looks even more difficult given they face league leaders Manchester City on Sunday (18:45 BST).

 

“They're fighting for their lives because they want to win the league, we're fighting for ours because we want to stay in the league. The match-up is very different,” said Smith.

Emma Hayes says Chelsea have to be “perfect” to be able to progress from their Women’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.

 

Chelsea beat Barcelona 1-0 in the first leg in Spain last week as the defending champions lost on home soil for the first time in five years.

 

Hayes’ side will welcome Barca, four-time finalists in the last five seasons, to Stamford Bridge on Saturday with over 35,000 tickets sold.

 

"They are the best team in the world, I’ve said it a million times," said Hayes.

 

"They know how to be in this position and no matter what they throw at us - whether that’s bringing a false nine, overloading the left-hand side, accessing the pivot or drawing us out of position - Barcelona can hurt you in so many different ways.

Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a foot injury.

 

Shaw is the Women's Super League top scorer this season with 21 goals in 18 games.

 

But the Jamaica international will miss the remainder of the campaign after injuring her foot during City's 5-0 WSL victory over West Ham last Sunday.

 

"It is difficult for Bunny [shaw's nickname], as she has had an incredible season," City manager Gareth Taylor said.

Ouch! At least we're fairly near the end of the season now so she should have time to recover, although I can imagine it being a bit frustrating given how close the teams at the top of the Women's League are.

A late equaliser from Bethany England salvaged a point for Tottenham against Brighton in the Women's Super League.

 

Elisabeth Terland gave Brighton an early lead at Brisbane Road, but England responded in the 81st minute by steering home Ashleigh Neville's cross.

 

The Spurs captain almost made it a winning comeback when she struck the crossbar from the edge of the box.

 

Brighton did enough to hold on, however, picking up a hard-earned draw.

Emma Hayes said she is "absolutely leaving at the right time" as her 12-year tenure in charge of Chelsea came to an end.

 

The 47-year-old bowed out with her fifth successive Women's Super League title and her seventh overall.

 

An emphatic 6-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford means Hayes departs with 14 major honours, including five FA Cups and two League Cups.

 

In a thrilling finale to the WSL season, Chelsea pipped Manchester United to the title on goal difference.

 

"It has taken its toll," Hayes said. "I categorically cannot carry on. I don't have another drop to give it.

 

"There is so much of the job, dealing with people, and when you deal with people I have such high standards for myself that maintaining that has become impossible.

Congrats to Chelsea for winning the league!

Manchester City have signed former Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema on a free transfer.

 

The 27-year-old, who is the all-time leading goalscorer in the Women's Super League, left the Gunners at the end of June after her contract expired.

 

Arsenal decided against offering Miedema a new deal, despite her scoring 125 goals in 172 appearances for the club.