England boss Sarina Wiegman has delivered a major blow to Lionesses fans hoping to see striking talisman Beth Mead wreak havoc on the Women’s World Cup pitch this summer.
The Dutch manager declared the England superstar is not in her current World Cup plans and a return to fitness before the tournament would require a "miracle". Wiegman announced her 25-player squad for next month's international break, and Mead was once again a notable absentee as she continues to return from an ACL injury suffered in November during Arsenal's 3-2 league defeat to Manchester United.
The injury ruled her out for Arsenal's remainder of the season and has since sent the Euro 2022 star into a race against time to regain fitness before the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. And despite the 27-year-old issuing a positive injury update delivered in February, Wiegman has all but ruled out a return for one of England's most potent forwards ahead of the summer's showpiece event.
