21 November 2023 , 11:15
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Sarina Wiegman has recalled Beth Mead for her England squad for December's Nations League double header.
The Arsenal forward has not played for England since November 2022, following her ACL injury, missing out on the World Cup in the summer. But Mead started for her club on Sunday in a 3-0 win over Brighton and is now close to full fitness.
Lauren James is also recalled after she dropped out of the last squad with a concussion injury. Grace Clinton and Khiara Keating maintain their place in the squad after receiving their first call-ups last time out.
The Lionesses take on Netherlands at Wembley on December 1 and travel to local rivals Scotland just five days later, needing to win both games to realistically keep alive their hopes of reaching the tournament finals, and in turn Team GB's qualification prospects for next summer's Olympic Games.
Wiegman said: "We know we’ll need to win our last two games of 2023 and we’ll give everything we have for that outcome. This group have shown resilience and strength of character time and time again and I have absolutely no doubts we’ll be ready to go when the whistle blows for both fixtures.
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“We always embrace the opportunity to play at Wembley, it’s been home to some of our biggest and happiest occasions. We’ll need the crowd to play their part and continue the incredible backing they’ve shown for the team. They’ve always been there when we need them and we’ll need them once again."
The group is set to go to the wire with England in third place, three points behind leaders Netherlands and a point off Belgium who defeated the Lionesses in their last game, 3-2.
Full England squad: Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (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), 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), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)