As expected, Beth Mead has had to pull out of the England squad for Nations League games against Portugal and Spain during the international break due to a calf strain.
Mead has been struggling with the injury for a couple of weeks, missing a couple of matches while being an unused sub in a couple of others. Chloe Kelly, who made her return to the club with a second club debut on Sunday following her deadline day loan move from Manchester City, is called up in her place.
It was the first time Kelly had been omitted by Wiegman after a season in which she had been sidelined at City. Meanwhile, Lotte Wubben-Moy picked up a muscular injury in training and also has to withdraw. She is set to undergo a scan on Monday. Lucy Parker is called up in her place.
Pleased for Chloe that she has her chance to play for her National team but what does it say about Weigman whose claim for her omission was lack of playing time when that has only increased by half an hour since last week?
Glad we have the OTHER Dutch coach…
It was an impressive second debut? It would be difficult to say Chloe put a foot wrong, both in returning home and in what she did on the pitch including her trademark move when she entered…
I don’t think it’s a big deal, Peter – coaches have words, and then they have actions.
She knew Meado is carrying an injury but still picked her over Chloe. I’m not favouring one above the other but to me that was poor management. A bit like Hope Powell in desperation substituting on Kelly Smith who hadn’t played for about 4 or 5 months following a broken leg!
Given how little she has played these past months 30 min is significant for her.
She did well, looked fit and lively. She just needed to prove her head was in the correct space.
Those 30 minutes were more minutes played by city
This is great for us. Kelly acquires more match fitness and Beth gets a fortnight to recuperate and treat any other little niggles.
Poor, poor Lotte, though. Is she the unluckiest player in the squad? Plays herself back into England contention and then can’t capitalise.
Is it me or has LWM become a little injury prone? Just seems to miss quite a few games with niggles and stuff. Not immediately obvious cos she isn’t a starter rn but I’ve picked up on it in recent times.
Will look into it further.