Chelsea forward Lauren James has won the WSL Player of the Year prize at the London Football Awards.

The 22-year-old took the World Cup by storm with her performances for England in the group stage of the tournament back in the summer.

James scored the winner for the Lionesses in the 1-0 win against Denmark in their second fixture. She made an even bigger impression in the subsequent game versus China.

The forward put in a player-of-the-match performance, scoring a brace and providing three assists in the 6-1 victory.

She has been in phenomenal form for Chelsea

James took confidence from her displays at the World Cup, and she has been outstanding since the new Women’s Super League season started back in October last year.

The England international has racked up 12 goals in 13 league appearances so far, including her first career hat-trick against Liverpool in a 5-1 win.

It’s not been all plain sailing this season for James, who was criticised after a stamping incident during the 4-1 defeat to Arsenal late last year. However, she rebounded from that controversy with another hat-trick against Manchester United after the winter break.

James is not available for the clash against Leicester

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has confirmed that the forward will not be in the squad for the trip to face the Foxes this weekend.

James picked up her fifth booking of the season during the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City before the international break and she will serve a one-match ban.

However, Hayes has also revealed that Fran Kirby could be in contention. The 30-year-old pulled out of the England squad due to a minor knee injury but, at her pre-match press conference, the Blues manager said:

“She might be available on Sunday, so that shows you where it’s at. She wasn’t on the [training] pitch today, I think it’s right for me to say that, but she could very well be available for selection for Sunday.”