Chelsea and England striker Kirby reveals battle with debilitating heart condition

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CHELSEA WOMEN’S TEAM striker Fran Kirby is confident she is “on the road to recovery” following a tough few months fighting a debilitating illness.

The 45-times capped England international has not played for the Blues for three months after being diagnosed with pericarditis – inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac that surrounds the heart.

The 26-year-old suffered with a severe lack of energy and was sleeping for up to 15 hours per day.

The road back has so far been a long one for Kirby who, although not training again, is at least in a position to be with the squad.

Explaining her condition on the club’s website, Kirby said: “I am feeling 100 times better compared to when this started.

“I was struggling with understanding how it happened and why it happened as I was feeling good with no injuries and enjoying training with the team, so it was frustrating at the time.

“When I became ill the frustration went away as I didn’t even have the energy to be frustrated. I had no emotion as I was too tired. It took over my life in a negative way. I couldn’t even get up to make food.

“Now that I am feeling more like a human being, I can smile again and be in a room with people again.

“Before, when people were having conversations with me, I couldn’t acknowledge them. I was just sitting there thinking ‘I am so ill, I am so ill’, it was just constantly on my mind.

While Kirby is desperate to return to action, she realises she has to be patient, otherwise it could lead to a setback.