Hayes addressed the media at Cobham a little over 24 hours after it was confirmed the hamstring injury Harder sustained representing Denmark during the recent international break was a serious one.

‘It’s a huge blow for her and for the team,’ said Hayes. ‘She was having a fantastic impact and had really settled into the side this year.

‘No medical staff member will ever put a timeline on that type of surgery, because it depends how she responds once it’s settled down. What I can see is I can’t see her playing any time soon.

‘We just need to support her in the best way we can. We do have the depth to cope, not that you can replace Pernille Harder as she is an outstanding player and person. The whole team is rallying around her.’

Hayes was asked if there was added disappointment Harder picked up the injury on international duty.

‘I’m very frustrated,’ she replied.

‘I’ve made it clear player welfare needs looking at. Erin Cuthbert went away, Scotland played a game on Saturday and then they played her again less than 48 hours later on a Monday. It’s outrageous players are put in those positions.

‘I know there are going to be changes to the international calendar. It’s really the travel and the in between that causes a lot of the problems. Pernille wants to do everything, it’s not the fault of anybody, these injuries come for many reasons, but I feel players playing in World Cups and European Championships being given two weeks rest between reasons is unacceptable.

‘We need to start putting the players first. It’s killing the players. I’m not talking on behalf of my own, it’s across the board. Look at the injuries in the women’s game.’

Mjelde and Kirby updates

The other player who is ruled out of tomorrow’s Group A clash against Real Madrid is Maren Mjelde. The Norwegian hasn’t featured since the win on matchday one against PSG, over a month ago now.

‘She had a tendon issue after the PSG game, but I saw her back out on the grass today,’ revealed Hayes.

‘She’s not quite there yet, she’s not available, but everybody else is.’

That includes Fran Kirby, who made her return from illness in the impressive 3-0 defeat of Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

In the absence of Harder, Kirby’s importance will only increase and Hayes is delighted to have the forward at her disposal again.

‘She was unfortunate. She got a viral infection, got well, and then got a viral infection again. It was a double whammy that set her back. That’s why she’s been out this length of time.

‘She got a horrific cough and cold through that period, thank goodness that’s subsided. She used the international break to start training with the group again.

‘Her physical output on Sunday for the time she was on the pitch was really good. She’s back and available for selection.’

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