(Reuters) – England and Arsenal player Beth Mead is set to make her first appearance in a year since injuring her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), according to manager Jonas Eidevall. The match against Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League will mark Mead’s return after tearing her ACL in November, causing her to miss the women’s World Cup. Despite this setback, the 28-year-old holds the record for the most assists in the WSL. Mead was also awarded the Golden Boot when England won the European Championship and finished second in the 2022 Ballon d’Or voting.
Eidevall informed reporters that if Mead successfully completes the last training session, she will be ready for selection in the squad. The manager described her as having a positive energy, playing the game with enthusiasm, and possessing strong attacking qualities with both her right and left foot. The team is excited to have her back on the pitch.
Mead’s teammate Vivianne Miedema also suffered an ACL injury, which caused her to miss the World Cup for the Netherlands. However, Eidevall stated that Miedema is not yet prepared for her return. The manager acknowledged the shared experiences of the players who have experienced similar injuries but emphasized that each recovery process is unique to the individual.
Arsenal is currently in ninth place in the league, having failed to secure a victory in their last two matches, including an unexpected loss to Liverpool on the opening day of the season at Emirates Stadium. Meanwhile, Aston Villa occupies the 11th position in the league.
Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge
