Coach Sampson confident Bardsley will return for England's semifinal
EDMONTON, Alberta -- The swelling below English goalkeeper Karen Bardsley's right eye has gone down substantially, leaving coach Mark Sampson confident she will be available to play in the Women's World Cup semifinal against Japan.
"She looks like she's in a better place," Sampson said Sunday, after England arrived in Edmonton to prepare for the game on Wednesday. "I think by tomorrow, she'll be good to get herself back on the training field and up for selection for what should be a really big game for us."
Bardsley traveled with England, and showed very little sign of the swelling.
"Yeah, it looks better," Bardsley told The Associated Press as she made her way to the team bus.
It was a different story for Bardsley a day earlier, during England's 2-1 quarterfinal win over host Canada at Vancouver, British Columbia. Bardsley was forced to leave early in the second half when the skin below her right eye puffed up.
She was replaced by Siobhan Chamberlain, who didn't allow a goal over the final 38 minutes.
Sampson said team officials still believe the swelling was caused by an allergic reaction. Without providing specifics, Sampson says tests have been conducted and information sent to England for analysis.
"People are looking at it now just to make sure we're aware and we can manage against it happening again," Sampson said.
Bardsley has allowed three goals and made 15 saves in starting all five tournament games for England, which has reached the semifinals for the first time in team history. She had four saves and named player of the match in a 2-1 win over Norway in the Round of 16 on June 22, which marked the Lionesses' first elimination-game victory.
