The England women's national team is one of many nations preparing for the highly-anticipated FIFA Women's World Cup this summer. However, the Three Lionesses could sadly be without captain Steph Houghton.
The 30-year-old ace has been and continues to be a key figure for the national side but in a heartbreaking interview, the Man City defender admitted that a family issue could force her to skip the summer tournament in France.
The reason for this is due to the health of her husband Stephen Darby who has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, a disease which leaves a life expectancy of three years for about half of the people with this condition. The former Liverpool and Bolton defender was forced to retire back in September as a result.
The Lionesses skipper, who wedded Darby back in June 2018, admitted that her number one priority is her partner. While Houghton insists he is "as good as ever" at the moment, she stated she would sacrifice the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup to be by her lover's side should his situation change.
"I'm here because I feel I'm right to be here and it's driven by Stephen," she told the Daily Mail, opening up about how things have changed for her family.
"He wants me to go. He says, 'Get out of the house'.
"Because it happened so quickly, [my future with England] would all depend on how Stephen is. He's my priority. If anything were to change in the near future, my job is to be the best wife that I can be and to look after him. But at the moment, everything is great. He's as good as ever."
She added: "It's obviously been a really, really tough year on a personal level, but I can be honest and say I'm sitting here in England colors and I am really focused on England. Of course, Stephen's my No 1 priority and he always will be.
"My focus is the World Cup now and fingers crossed it never ever gets to the moment where I have to step away."
With the June 7 kick-off drawing ever closer, England manager Phil Neville has given the skipper the freedom to take time off whenever she needed due to her personal struggle. The gaffer also admitted that he will support her decision whatever it is, whether to travel to France or to stay with her husband.
Houghton revealed she is being encouraged to go by her husband. If she does, she will attempt to guide her nation to another trophy, having led them to the SheBelieves Cup 2019 trophy in March.
The England women's national team is in Group D in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup and will likely battle it out with Japan, whom they beat in the SheBelieves Cup, for the top spot. Argentina and Scotland will be their other competition.
