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Beth Mead left out of England squad, Keira Walsh and Fran Kirby return

sportsmole.co.uk, 17 October 2023, 15:57
Arsenal Women attacker Beth Mead has been left out of the England Women's squad for their upcoming Nations League double-header with Belgium.

Sarina Wiegman's side opened their inaugural Nations League campaign with three points from a possible six last month, beating Scotland 2-1 before a controversial defeat to the Netherlands by the same scoreline in League A Group 1.

The Lionesses sit third in the section - which would force them to fight for their top-tier status in the relegation playoffs - and they host group leaders Belgium at the King Power Stadium on October 27 before a trip to Den Dreef four days later.

Wiegman has summoned 25 players for this month's fixtures, but once again, there is no space for Arsenal striker Mead, who has only just made her comeback from a devastating ACL injury.

The 28-year-old made her first appearance in almost 11 months during the weekend's Women's Super League clash with Aston Villa, where she provided a 94th-minute assist for Alessia Russo in a dramatic 2-1 comeback win.

However, Mead has not been deemed fit enough for an international return, but Barcelona's Keira Walsh and Chelsea's Fran Kirby are both back from their respective problems.

Walsh was unavailable for September's opening Nations League matches due to a calf injury, while Kirby returns after her knee operation in the spring, which forced her to miss the World Cup.

In addition, Wiegman has handed maiden senior call-ups to 19-year-old Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating and 20-year-old Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Grace Clinton, while another uncapped player in Aston Villa's Lucy Parker is also included.

Two of Parker's Aston Villa teammates - Lucy Staniforth and Jordan Nobbs - have been cut from the ranks, though, while Man City's Laura Coombs and Brighton & Hove Albion's Katie Robinson have also been dropped.

"It's good for us to be back together. Obviously we had a good start with the win against Scotland; however, the outcome of our last fixture against the Netherlands was disappointing," Wiegman told englandfootball.com.

"We will be fully focused to perform well twice against tough opposition. Belgium's results in the Nations League show they are talented side who can cause teams problems, so we will need to be at our best to get the results we're looking for.

"The group is wide open, so every game is crucial. The squad have shown their ability to respond to setbacks and I'm sure this will be no different.

"We look forward to meeting up at St George's Park next Monday and putting in the time to make sure we're fully prepared and ready to go twice in quick succession. Again we feel very fortunate to be playing in front of a sell-out crowd.

"The support we are receiving from all corners of the country is amazing, it isn't something we'll ever take for granted and it really gives us that extra lift. Hopefully we can give them another night to remember."

Following October's clashes, England meet the Netherlands at Wembley on December 1 before closing out their Nations League group-stage campaign against Scotland at Hampden Park four days later.

ENGLAND WOMEN'S SQUAD IN FULL

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City), Ellie Roebuck (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), Lucy Parker (Aston Villa), 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), Jess Park (Manchester City), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)

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