Beth Mead recalled to England squad

Arsenal forward Beth Mead has returned to the England squad for the first time since rupturing her ACL last November. Mead started a Conti Cup game against Bristol City a fortnight ago and, on Sunday, made her first WSL start in a year in the 3-0 win at Brighton.

Mead, who was the Golden Boot winner and Player of the Tournament when England won the Euros in 2022, ruptured her ACL in a home game against Manchester United last year. England coach Sarina Wiegman said of Beth’s recall, “She showed enough for me and to my technical staff to bring her in. It was a nice phone call, she was very happy.”

🤩 Meado is back in the #Lionesses squad! pic.twitter.com/odKRjImfBG

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) November 21, 2023

Beth has not played for her country since a 4-0 win over Japan last November. She is joined in the England squad by Arsenal teammates Lotte Wubben-Moy and Alessia Russo for UEFA Nations League games against Netherlands at Wembley and Scotland. Netherlands have called up Victoria Pelova and Vivianne Miedema, who is back in training after missing the last two games with a knock.

Meanwhile, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross have been called to play for Australia’s double header against Canada in Langford and Vancouver. Sabrina D’Angelo and Cloe Lacasse are likely to be in the Canada squad for that game (to be confirmed).

Frida Maanum is in the Norway squad for UEFA Nations League games against Portugal and Austria, who are likely to have Manu Zinsberger in their squad. Stina Blackstenius, Lina Hurtig and Amanda Ilestedt are in the Sweden game for matches against Switzerland and Spain.

Laia Codina is in the Spain squad for Nations League games against Italy and Sweden. Lia Walti and Noelle Maritz are also expected to be called up for games against Sweden and Spain and Katie McCabe will be called up as captain for Ireland’s fixtures against Hungary and Northern Ireland and Kathrine Kuhl will be called for Denmark who play Germany and Iceland.