Portsmouth ladies boss Vanessa Raynbird fears the loss of club captain Gemma Hillier to a broken rib could cost her side promotion to the Premier League.

The South Division club, who are five points below automatic promotion, could miss the striker for up to six weeks.

Hillier, 23, broke her rib in Pompey's 2-0 win over Havant & Waterlooville in the Hampshire Cup final on Sunday.

Raynbird told BBC Radio Solent: "To lose a player of her quality is a blow for us and for our promotion bid."

Hillier has scored six goals in 17 appearances for Portsmouth this season and the cup victory at the weekend was Pompey's fifth Hampshire Cup title.

"It was great to win and a great day out but the game has done us no good at all because we lost Gemma," said Raynbird.

"To lose our club captain isn't good and even though she isn't a prolific goal scorer she does a lot for the team.

"She makes great runs and creates a lot of chances for other people, she's magnificent and a real work horse."

In addition to Hillier's absence, Raynbird has also lost midfielders Shelley Cox, Molly Clarke and Alex Windell to the Women's Superleague, which starts in April.

"Molly and Alex have both gone to Bristol Academy, while Shelly has gone to Doncaster Belles, which was something I wasn't expecting," she said.

"The depleted squad is the worry now because the players we've lost are Superleague standard, and no disrespect to the players coming in but they aren't as experienced.

"But I'm hopeful the youngsters that do come in will do the job and keep their place.

"We have nine games left and it's going to be a good run in, hopefully we can get off to a good start against Cardiff on Sunday."

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