Beth Mead makes long-awaited return to England squad after ACL injury for UEFA Women's Nations League double header

Beth Mead looks set to make her long-awaited return for England after Sarina Wiegman named her squad for the crucial UEFA Nations League double header against the Netherlands and Scotland.

England host the Netherlands at Wembley on Friday, December 1, before making the trip to Glasgow for a match against Scotland at Hampden Park four days later.

Wiegman's side need a victory against the Dutch to remain in contention to top the group, following a disappointing 3-2 defeat in Belgium on October 31.

Mead is back with the Lionesses for the first time since November 2022, after making her comeback from an ACL injury, while midfielder Grace Clinton and goalkeeper Khiara Keating have been called up again after being included in the senior squad for the first time last month.

"That was a very nice phone call, she was very happy," Wiegman told reporters at a press conference.

"We've had phone calls all the time, since September, and October too, because she was training and getting some minutes, but I wanted to see more. Her health now is really good, she can just go. We hope she keeps improving, but she showed enough for me to bring her in.

"She is a character who brings positive energy on and off pitch, her experience, the way she plays, she is different to other players on the wing. It gives us extra energy."

The Lionesses were beaten 2-1 by the Dutch in the reverse fixture, while the Tartan Army were dispatched by the same scoreline at the Stadium of Light as part of a September double header.

"We know we’ll need to win our last two games of 2023 and we’ll give everything we have for that outcome," said Wiegman when initially announcing her squad.

"This group have shown resilience and strength of character time and time again and I have absolutely no doubts we’ll be ready to go when the whistle blows for both fixtures.

“We always embrace the opportunity to play at Wembley, it’s been home to some of our biggest and happiest occasions. We’ll need the crowd to play their part and continue the incredible backing they’ve shown for the team. They’ve always been there when we need them and we’ll need them once again.

“An away fixture against Scotland is also an occasion we’ll all look forward to, but we’ll take it one game at a time.”

Group A1 is very tightly congested, with only three points separating the Netherlands, Belgium and England, while Scotland prop up the table with one point from four games played.

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City)

Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Tottenham Hotspur, loan from Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Katie Zelem (Manchester United)

Forwards: Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal) Alessia Russo (Arsenal)

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