Beth Mead, England and Arsenal forward, has said that she is “ahead of schedule” in her recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, but is unsure if she will be fit in time for the World Cup. The 28-year-old has been out since November after rupturing her ACL in a Women’s Super League loss to Manchester United. Speaking on Sky Sports after being awarded an MBE for services to football, Mead said that she is back on the pitch kicking a ball again and feeling good. She added that she is working hard to get as close to being fit for the World Cup as possible, but that the final decision will be up to head coach Sarina Wiegman. Mead won both the Golden Boot and player of the tournament award when England won the Euros last summer.
The return of Mead would provide a welcome boost to Wiegman, who will be without captain Leah Williamson due to an ACL injury and midfielder Fran Kirby, who has confirmed she will miss the tournament in Australia with a knee injury. Chelsea defender Millie Bright has also been ruled out for several more weeks following a knee injury she sustained in March. Wiegman said in March that it is “unlikely” that Mead will be named in England’s World Cup squad.