England and Arsenal striker Beth Mead has admitted she is “ahead of schedule” in her rehabilitation from her ACL injury and did not explicitly rule out a remarkable return to fitness before the summer’s World Cup.
Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman delivered a blow to England fans hoping to see the Ballon d’Or runner-up wreaking havoc at this summer’s showpiece event when she declared in March that the striking talisman was not in her current World Cup plans and a return to fitness before the tournament would require a “miracle”.
Mead has faced a race against time as she continues her return to fitness following her devastating season-ending ACL injury suffered in Arsenal’s 3-2 league defeat to Manchester United back in November.
The 27-year-old’s absence would be cruelly felt by the Lionesses, with Mead having seized the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament awards during England’s historic Euro 2022 triumph - feats which contributed to her receiving an MBE for outstanding contribution to football on Wednesday.
But with just over 70 days until England kick-start their World Cup campaign, Mead has delivered a potentially major boost to England's hopes with the striker admitting she’s ahead of schedule with less than two months until the tournament.
“I’m feeling good, ahead of schedule so that’s all that’s in my control right now,” she told Sky Sports while picking up her MBE at Windsor Castle. “The injury is okay, I’m a good five months in now, I’m back on the pitch and kicking a ball again.”
When queried about the prospect of seeing her in an England shirt in Australia and New Zealand, Mead erred on the side of caution but did not explicitly rule herself out of contention for Wiegman’s squad.
“I wouldn’t say confident because that’s out of my control but I’m working hard to try and get as close to that as possible. At the end of the day it’s probably going to be Sarina’s decision.”
Mead is one of a number of women’s footballers to suffer an injury in the lead-up to an historic summer. Arsenal team-mate and England defender Leah Williamson was the latest name to be added to a swelling list of ACL injuries sustained by marquee women’s footballers amid a growing epidemic in the game.
And Mead acknowledged the impact the absence of the Lionesses skipper would pose on the team while sympathising with the cruel timing of the injury.
“It’s your captain, it’s your leader. We have a lot of them in the team but Leah is an amazing player and obviously played a big role in the summer just gone so I feel for her,” Mead said.
“I know the position she’s in, I know how she’s feeling right now but myself and my team-mates and England are supporting her and she will hopefully come back stronger for the next competition.”
Despite injuries, European champions England are amongst the favourites heading into the summer. Mead noted the pressure that will inevitably ensconce the side but maintained that the side’s camaraderie coupled with the consistent influence of Wiegman will keep the squad grounded as they embark on their biggest challenge yet.
“We have the depth, we have the quality of player there to come and do a good job and Sarina backs her full squad. Hopefully throughout the tournament she’ll trust everyone she’s got there,” Mead said.
“Knowing the squad and the togetherness and how Sarina works, she will take that pressure away from us. It’s a World Cup you’ve got to go out there and enjoy playing football. It’s what we do for a living, it’s what we all love doing and I think the way Sarina simplifies that in that context will stand us in good stead and make us feel comfortable going into the tournament.”
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