Former England striker Ellen White has described Beth Mead's ACL injury as a "massive blow" for the Lionesses but has backed her old teammate to come back "better than ever".
Mead limped off during during the closing stages of Arsenal's 3-2 defeat to Manchester United in the WSL on November 19, and the club confirmed this week the 27-year-old is set to undergo surgery after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament.
The news has cast a shadow over the Gunners' title hopes as well as dealing Sarina Wiegman a potential selection headache with next summer's Women's World Cup firmly on the horizon.
Mead picked up the golden boot after netting six goals to help England roar to Euros glory and White, who also starred for the Lionesses in the summer's historic tournamnent, has expressed her disappointment at Mead's injury.
"I'm absolutely devastated for her," she said in an interview with Sky Sports. "She's had a phenomenal couple of years for both England and Arsenal. What she's achieved in those couple of years is extraordinary.
"I know she's got an incredible medical team and support system at Arsenal that will help her get back fitter and probably even better than ever before."
White, who secured her place as England's top-scorer before announcing her retirement in August, revealed she's hopeful Mead could return in time for the World Cup next summer, noting that the 27-year-old would be a huge loss for Wiegman's side.
She said: "It's a tight turnaround, an ACL is a long injury, but she's got a great mentality. I think it would be a massive blow (if she missed the World Cup).
"What she's achieved in major tournaments, she's got the experience and she scores goals. It would be a massive blow to the England squad and for our potential chances at the World Cup at the same time."
England will look to build on their Euros success as they try to win the World Cup for the first time ever in Australia and New Zealand next year. With the Lionesses playing their first Group D match on July 22, Mead will face a race against time to prove her fitness for the tournament, providing the surgery is successful.
The 27-year-old has scored 29 times for England and won her 50th cap for the national side in the recent 4-0 win over Japan. However, Wiegman is blessed with a wealth of talent in her current squad and heads into 2023 having enjoyed a sensational year with the Lionesses unbeaten in their last 26 games.
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