Manchester City star Mary Fowler back training on grass just four months after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament

Mary Fowler (pictured in January) suffered a ruptured ACL in April (Natalie Mincher/SPP)

Mary Fowler has shared a positive injury update on social media after she suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester United .

The Australian required surgery on the injury which kept her out for the rest of the 2024-25 season.

Return timelines for athletes who undergo ACL surgery can be anywhere from six months to a year.

Fowler will miss the start of the Women’s Super League season, which starts with Manchester City’s trip to Chelsea on Friday, September 5th.

However, there are positive signs for Fowler, going off her recent posts on social media platform Instagram.

– Tuesday, 19 August 2025

Mary Fowler has shocked fans by revealing that she is back training on grass in football boots, in her latest injury update just four months after rupturing her ACL.

The 22-year-old shared pictures of her running and continuing her rehabilitation on grass.

One picture showed her jogging down the football field. Other pictures show her appearing to do a few skips while also completing some work with a resistance band.

Though she hasn’t started on-ball work yet, the pictures offer positive signs for Manchester City ahead of the new season.

City are currently completing a pre-season training camp at the La Manga resort in Spain.

Fowler’s update was met with positive comments from her Manchester City teammates.

‘Things you love to see,’ Khiara Keating wrote, while Alex Greenwood added: ‘What a sight.’

Australia coach, Joe Montemurro, is hoping that Fowler could return to action as soon as November.

The Matildas are keen to have Fowler return in time for next year’s Asian Cup, which takes place in March.

Speaking at the Asian Cup draw in Sydney last month, Montemurro said Fowler is on track in her recovery, crediting Manchester City for accelerating her comeback.

“She’s looking good … she’s done really well, she’s in a good space,” Montemurro said.

Manchester City haven’t specified when Fowler is likely to return, though it appears likely she will miss the first few months of the new season.

Fowler scored six goals in 17 WSL appearances for City last season. She was nominated for both the PFA Players’ Player and Young Player of the Year awards, though she missed out to Mariona Caldentey and Olivia Smith respectively.

However, Fowler did make the selection for the WSL Team of the Year.