Beth Mead will play no part in this summer’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after the England forward was left out of Sarina Wiegman’s 23-player squad.
Mead has not recovered from her ACL tear in time but Tottenham striker Beth England has earned a recall with her 12 goals in the latter half of the WSL season.
Manchester United duo Maya Le Tissier and Nikita Parris were also overlooked alongside midfielder Jess Park, who had been tipped to break into the squad after impressing on loan at Everton. Wiegman said Le Tissier was a particularly “hard call” and had been “really close” to being included.
Asked if Mead ever had any realistic chance of making it, Wiegman admitted: “No I don’t think so.
“Beth is so positive and she’s going really well but we said the time schedule she had, we would have taken so many risks to try and get her to the World Cup.
“We also have to take care of players,” she added. “And not do what’s a little bit naive.”
The Lionesses begin the tournament among the favourites having lifted the European Championship last summer, but have been weakened by long-term injuries to Mead, captain Leah Williamson, and Fran Kirby, all of whom will miss out.
Millie Bright will captain the side in Williamson’s absence.
Here are the 23 that made it onto the plane:
Goalkeepers
Earps – England’s first-choice goalkeeper has already won them one trophy in 2023 thanks to her penalty shootout heroics in the Finalissima against Brazil.
Roebuck – The Man City stopper made 18 appearances in all competitions this season and will remain as Earps’ back-up.
Hampton – Fought off competition from Manchester United’s Emily Ramsey to be named third-choice ‘keeper.
Defenders
Bronze – The right-back is the most capped current Lioness with 104 caps and has overcome a knee injury to be passed fit.
Bright (c) – England’s captain and first-choice centre-back but may not be 100 per cent fit after a knee cartilage problem and spend the end of Chelsea’s season on crutches.
Wubben-Moy – Was only used sparingly by the Gunners in the WSL this term but impressed when called upon after Williamson’s injury.
Greenwood – Largely plays at centre-back for Man City but may well be used at left-back given that Rachel Daly will be used as a forward.
Carter – A double-winner with Chelsea, the defender has featured in all five of England’s internationals this calendar year.
Charles – Vital to Chelsea’s league and FA Cup wins but also because of her versatility, able to play in both full-back positions and in central defence.
Morgan – Finally on her way to a major tournament after missing out on last summer’s Euros having broken her leg early on in the 2021-22 season.
Midfielders
Walsh – The most expensive female player in the world excelled in her debut season with Barcelona, helping them to both Liga F (the Spanish title) and the Supercopa de Espana Femenina.
Stanway – Also moved abroad straight after winning the Euros to join Bayern Munich, where she even managed to introduce Sweet Caroline into their title-winning celebrations.
Nobbs – Opted to join Aston Villa with the World Cup squad in mind and a great redemption story having overcome her injury problems and opting to end her long association with Arsenal.
Coombs – The 32-year-old midfielder is back in the fold after eight years with two caps under Wiegman, having previously not featured since the Mark Sampson era.
Zelem – The Man Utd captain has been in and out of Wiegman’s thinking but offers another option behind the front three, with eight assists this season.
Toone – The Man Utd midfielder’s creativity will be even more crucial in the absence of Mead and Kirby.
Forwards
Russo – By July Russo may no longer be representing Manchester United – where she was named Player of the Year – with her contract still up in the air but has been Wiegman’s preferred option at centre-forward.
Daly – The Aston Villa forward won the WSL’s Golden Boot with 22 goals and five assists following her return to English football from Houston Dash.
Robinson – The Brighton winger adds another option on the right with no Mead.
James – Only made her first international start in October but now almost a guaranteed starter.
Kelly – Scorer of both England’s match-winner in the Euro 2022 final, and the decisive penalty in the Finalissima, Kelly is playing the best football of her career and likely to start in the front three.
Hemp – Still looking for consistency – and a few more goals – but even Usain Bolt was impressed by her pace when they met at Man City’s Academy Stadium.
England – Lost her place while on the bench at Chelsea but has been revived by her January move, scoring 12 goals to keep Spurs up in the second half of the season.
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