Beth Mead returns to Lionesses squad for first time since struggling ACL damage

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Beth Mead has returned to the England squad for the primary time in over a yr forward of the Lionesses’ crunch Women’s Nations League double-header towards the Netherlands and Scotland.

The information comes 364 days after Mead confirmed she had ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) taking part in for Arsenal, an damage which subsequently dominated the Euro 2022 golden boot winner out of this summer time’s World Cup.

The 28-year-old lately revealed she went by way of some “very dark moments” as she handled not solely lacking the World Cup as a consequence of a long-term damage but additionally the lack of her mum, who died in January after a battle with most cancers.

Mead returned to motion with Arsenal final month however England supervisor Sarina Wiegman stated she was not prepared for worldwide choice. However, the ahead has since picked up extra minutes for the Gunners and made her first begin of the season in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Brighton within the Women’s Super League.

Mead’s final look for the Lionesses got here in a 4-0 victory over Japan final November and her return comes at a key time forward of must-win fixtures towards the Netherlands at Wembley and Scotland at Hampden Park.

The Lionesses’ hopes of incomes Team GB a spot at subsequent summer time’s Olympics Games have been dealt a big blow following a shock defeat in Belgium final month, simply the fourth suffered since Wiegman took cost.

It means England path each the Netherlands and Belgium in Nations League Group A, with three factors separating the three sides, leaving the Lionesses requiring victories towards the Dutch and Scotland whereas hoping different outcomes additionally go their approach.

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Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City)

Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Tottenham Hotspur, mortgage from Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Katie Zelem (Manchester United)

Forwards: Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)