'Miracle' needed for Beth Mead to play in the World Cup- Sarina Wiegman

Arsenal and England star Beth Mead looks set to miss this summer’s World Cup due to an ACL injury unless a “miracle” can happen in her recovery, according to Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman.

Mead ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament in November in Arsenal’s defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates before teammate Vivianne Miedema suffered a similar injury less than a month later.

With Sarina Wiegman naming her squad for games against Brazil and Australia in April, the England manager spoke to the press about her conversation with Beth Mead, who “was very realistic” about her chances of making the 2023 World Cup.

“She’s doing well, she’s in rehab… but the World Cup is actually too early,” said Wiegman.

“She’s not in our plans now, just really take the time to get back well. But if a miracle happens and she goes so fast then we will reconsider it”.

After top scoring and being named player of the tournament in England’s Euro 2022 win, losses to the Lionesses squad do not come much more significant than this, and the England setup, like Arsenal, know that rushing any player back from a long-term injury like this one is simply not an option.

Leah Williamson was the only Arsenal player to be named in the 25 player squad for the Finalissima at Wembley and friendly against Australia at Brentford’s GTech Community Stadium, with defender Lotte Wubben-Moy left out.