November 11 – Beth Mead has returned to the England squad for the first time since November 2022 after a lengthy spell out due to injury.
Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman confirmed the fan-favourite winger’s return to the international setup after the star returned to club football earlier this month.
“That was a very nice phone call, she was very happy,” Sarina Wiegman said of Mead’s return. “We’ve had phone calls all the time, since September, and October too, because she was training and getting some minutes, but I wanted to see more. Her health now is really good, she can just go. We hope she keeps improving but she showed enough for me to bring her in.”
The England forward ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament playing in Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat at the hands of Manchester United over a year ago.
The injury ruled her out of the 2023 World Cup, where she watched from the stands as the Lionesses reached the final of the coveted competition.
Mead returned for Arsenal on October 15, coming on in the 88th minute to inspire the team to come from behind against Aston Villa and earn a 2-1 win, providing the assist for Alessia Russo’s winner in injury time.
“She is a character who brings positive energy on and off pitch,” Wiegman said. “Her experience, the way she plays, she is different to other players on the wing. We expect on and off pitch it gives us extra energy.”
The highly-rated winger played an important part in England’s Euro 2022 triumph and will be looking to make an impact in Wiegman’s 23-player squad for the crucial upcoming Nations League fixtures against Netherlands and Scotland.
The Lionesses are facing a critical moment in their Nationsl League qualifying matches at Wembley on Friday, December 1, and Hampden Park the following Tuesday. Securing victories in both games is imperative for them, coupled with the reliance on Belgium dropping points, to clinch the top spot in the group and advance to the finals.
This is also essential if GB are to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics – only the Nations League finalists go through.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1731659864labto1731659864ofdlr1731659864owedi1731659864sni@g1731659864niwe.1731659864yrrah1731659864