England's Beth Mead says watching World Cup was 'bitter sweet', feels 'ready to go' after ACL injury

Beth Mead says watching England reach the World Cup final was a “little bitter sweet” as she prepares to make her return from injury.

The Arsenal striker was top scorer when England won Euro 2022, but not feature at the World Cup after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury last November.

In her absence, England reached their first World Cup final, where they were beaten 1-0 by Spain.

"I'm very proud of how England did, although it's a little bitter sweet because you want to be there and involved with it all,” Mead told BBC Scotland's Behind The Goals podcast.

“But what a tournament - so unpredictable.

"I knew [England head coach] Sarina [Wiegman] would figure it how. During the Euros she had a plan for everything.

"You could maybe say we peaked in the semi-finals against Australia and playing against Spain is a nightmare since you do so much running after the ball. It just seemed like one game too many."

England’s next fixture is against Scotland in the inaugural Women's Nations League at the Stadium of Light on September 22.

Mead says she is hoping to return in time for that fixture and is “starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel” with her injury.

"In an ideal world I'd like to be involved, fingers crossed, if everything goes to plan," she said.

"It's close to home and my old team [Sunderland], so it would be nice and fun for me.

"With ACL surgeries its sometimes not that easy, but I'm with the Arsenal team now, in and out a little bit with contact stuff.

"Strength-wise, I'm in the right place, but then if something is not quite right you've got to tick certain boxes which is the frustrating part. Physically, I feel ready to go, just little strength things will say different.

"Injury-wise, I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm back on the pitch now and waiting to play some minutes which will be brilliant."

Mead says she has had a “rollercoaster 18 months”.

After helping England win the Euros she was then voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

She was on crutches when she received the award and early this year lost her mother to cancer.

Now she says her focus is on returning to the pitch, with Arsenal playing their first Women’s Super League fixture on October 1.

"I've missed playing for so long, I just want to get back in to it.

"I'm not an over-thinker generally, so I'm not like, 'oh if someone hurts my knee, or if someone clatters into it...'. I just want to be out there kicking a football again."

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