Toone gains key insight after England hip injury layoff in 2026

England midfielder Ella Toone returns after four-month hip injury absence for World Cup qualifier against Spain.

Injury absence details Manchester United star Ella Toone spent four months on the sidelines after suffering a hip stress fracture caused by overuse. The injury forced her to miss England's Women's World Cup qualifying matches in March and April. She made her comeback in the final three Women's Super League fixtures before featuring in the Women's World Sevens tournament last week, where her club finished as runners-up to Chelsea. Toone is now set to play for England against Spain in Mallorca on Friday at 20:00 BST. ## Recovery challenges The 26-year-old described the layoff as difficult, noting it affected her family and limited her involvement during crucial England camps. She explained that her absence came from a complicated hip stress fracture that required lengthy rehabilitation. Toone kept fit through swimming and drew motivation from England's upcoming qualifiers to push through recovery. Her injury also caused her to miss Manchester United's Champions League knockout matches and hindered their push for a top-three Women's Super League finish. ## Lessons from setback Reflecting on the experience, Toone emphasized the importance of better self-care, acknowledging she is no longer 18 and her body has endured significant strain. She admitted the injury taught her a valuable lesson about prioritizing recovery and rest to extend her career. The midfielder confirmed she has learned to manage her schedule more wisely, including adding extra rest days to prevent burnout. Her goal now is to prolong her playing years at the highest level. ## Competition for England spots While Toone was sidelined, other players stepped up in the England squad, including Aston Villa's Lucia Kendall, who starred in a 1-0 win over Spain. Manchester City's Laura Blindkilde Brown earned her first start against Iceland, while Manchester United teammate Jess Park filled in at number 10. Chelsea's Lauren James also remains an option if not deployed as a winger. Toone stressed that squad selection is never guaranteed, regardless of past contributions. ## Eagerness to impress Toone expressed her excitement about returning and her drive to prove her fitness to manager Sarina Wiegman. She attended the last camp to remind Wiegman of her preferred position and availability for future selections. Despite her keenness, she acknowledged the need to avoid excessive pressure to play at her best. Toone highlighted that she has prepared thoroughly and feels in top form for the upcoming matches. ## Teammate's perspective Alessia Russo, Toone's close friend and Arsenal striker, welcomed her return to the England squad after the lengthy layoff. Russo shared that teammates frequently asked about Toone's absence and expressed happiness at her recovery. She praised Toone's maturity in managing her body over the past two years and her hard work in returning to match fitness. Russo called her a comforting presence in the squad again.