Arsenal star Beth Mead has made the latest step in her recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in November last year.
The 27-year-old was set for an extended spell on the sidelines when she limped off against Manchester United at the Emirates back in November. She now faces a race against time to be fit for this summer's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, but is making steady progress.
Arsenal shared a clip on social media on Tuesday revealing a positive update in the forward's rehabilitation. Mead is now running on an anti-gravity machine with the next step being a return to the grass.
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England manager Sarina Wiegman addressed Mead's World Cup hopes following the latest Lionesses squad announcement for their upcoming games against Brazil and Australia. The Dutch coach admitted it would take a 'miracle' for Mead to be ready in time and, while she's not closed the door completely, she's currently not preparing with the Arsenal star in her plans.
Mead opened up on her recovery in an interview with The Telegraph, saying: "Her (Wiegman's) comments were made to keep the pressure off. It’s not given me a solid no, but she hasn’t said yes either.
"She is preparing for a World Cup without me, but I could still be picked. And miracles do happen. I’ve certainly not given up. She has not given up on me going either. Not yet.
"I’ve been given a glimmer of hope. I’m a realistic person. I know it’s going to be extremely hard. But you give me a glimmer of hope and I will take it. It has given me something to work towards.”
The World Cup gets underway in just a few months time on July 21 and the Lionesses will hope to go a step further after they were knocked out at the semi-final stage by the USA in 2019. The EURO victory last summer will give them plenty of confidence heading into the tournament as they remain unbeaten under Wiegman.
The Lionesses take on Brazil at Wembley stadium on April 6 before they welcome World Cup co-hosts Australia to the Brentford Community Stadium on Tuesday, April 11 in one of their final tests before the summer.
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