Katie McCabe has confirmed that she expects to be fully fit for the start of the FIFA Women's World Cup campaign, with injury fears around the Republic of Ireland captain allayed.
The Arsenal player had emerged as a fitness concern after being withdrawn on the half-hour mark during the Girls in Green's 3-0 defeat to France at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday, having rolled her ankle in the 15th minute.
Manager Vera Pauw had been uncertain about the extent of the injury in the immediate aftermath of the match but McCabe confirmed that there was no major damage done and that her availability for the World Cup is not in question.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport just prior to flying out for Australia, McCabe revealed that she has undergone a scan on the injured ankle and that she expects to be back in full training next week.
"I went for a scan this morning and it all looked good," she said. "There was no risk last night and I'm happy with how it’s going.
"I’ll hopefully be back on the pitch next week. I was uncomfortable when it happened, I just kind of rolled it, there was no real support.
"But I’m happy with how the medical team have handled everything and getting scanned before we’ve left. I’m in a good place."
McCabe is part of the squad that fly out business class today while the remainder will depart on Saturday as securing enough seats on a single flight proved impossible.
Sinead Farrelly and Megan Connolly, who were also forced off against the French, will also be part of the travelling party with both of their substitutions due to fatigue.
For McCabe it still all feels a bit surreal and she admits that it may not be until kick-off against Australia that Ireland's World Cup qualification will sink in.
"It's a long time coming, it’s been an accumulation over the last few years of all the hard work the team has done and the backroom staff as well.
"It’s just exciting to be here and heading off from our team hotel with all our families here.
"Once we kick off that first game against Australia then it will sink in that we’re actually playing in the tournament.
"We’ve still got two weeks of preparation to go before that first game."
Ireland will face Colombia in a pre-tournament friendly behind closed doors next Friday before their opener against World Cup co-hosts Australia on 20 July.
RTÉ Sport will broadcast every match of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 on television and on RTÉ Player
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