England forward Beth Mead suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament against Manchester United at the weekend, her club Arsenal have confirmed.
The 27-year-old was substituted in stoppage time of the Gunners' 3-2 Women's Super League defeat to United on Saturday.
In a statement on Tuesday, Arsenal confirmed she is set for an "extended period on the sidelines".
Arsenal said Mead will see a surgeon in the coming days, after which a timescale for her return will be established.
The injury would appear to put her chances of participating in next year's World Cup in jeopardy.
Mead, who has scored three goals in seven WSL appearances this season, was one of the stars of England's triumphant women's European Championship campaign this year, winning the Golden Boot and the player of the tournament award.
