MANCHESTER CITY and England skipper Steph Houghton is to undergo knee surgery this week, with Arsenal’s Leah Williamson called up to the England squad to face Russia this Friday.

The 30-year-old defender, who led City to Women’s Champions League qualification at the end of last season, is to have the procedure to address an injury to her right knee.

The news was confirmed in a statement released through the club’s official Twitter account.

The post said: “@stephhoughton2 has sustained an injury to her right knee and will be undergoing surgery this week to treat it. We all wish Steph a speedy recovery! #mancity.”

Houghton was once again a central figure for City last season as they ended the campaign without silverware after a succession of near misses.

They finished as runners-up to Chelsea, who also beat them in the FA Cup semi-finals, in the league and missed out on a place in the Champions League final after a 1-0 aggregate defeat by eventual winners Lyon.

Former Sunderland, Leeds and Arsenal player Houghton joined City in January 2014 and has since led the club to league and cup glory.

She was a key member of the England side which finished third at the 2015 World Cup finals in Canada and also represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics.