Roebuck said: "Life can throw unexpected challenges at you and if this year has taught me anything, it's that I'm strong and will give it all I've got for the thing I love most."
Saturday 30 March 2024 19:23, UK
Manchester City and England goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck has revealed she is recovering from an "occipital infarct" - but has suffered "no lasting damage to her brain function or vision".
Roebuck has not featured for City in the Women's Super League this season, with 19-year-old Khiara Keating deployed by manager Gareth Taylor, and she has also dropped out of the England squad.
On Saturday, the 24-year-old announced in a post on social media she had "not felt well for a little while".
An infarct is defined as "an area of necrosis in a tissue or organ resulting from obstruction of the local circulation", according to US reference publisher Merriam-Webster. The occipital lobe sits at the back of the head and is the visual processing area of the brain.
Following specialist medical support at City, Roebuck feels she is now "on the road to recovery".
"I feel like now is the right time to share what's been happening lately," she said in a post on her social media channels.
"Unfortunately, having not felt well for a little while, I had some tests and it was discovered that I had suffered a left occipital infarct. Thankfully, there is no lasting damage to my brain function or vision.
"I've had many weeks of follow-up tests, specialist appointments, and with the support of the medical team at the club I'm on the road to recovery.
"It's great to be back with the girls, working on my rehab and more importantly feeling back to being normal Ellie.
"It's been a really tough time, but with the support of my family, I'm now really positive and excited for my return to the pitch.
"Life can throw unexpected challenges at you and if this year has taught me anything, it's that I'm strong and will give it all I've got for the thing I love most.
"I'm very grateful for your well-wishes and concern. My family and I would appreciate privacy while I concentrate on completing my recovery."
Roebuck's City team-mates moved three points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Women's Super League table with a 4-1 victory at Liverpool on Saturday.
