Beth Mead is back! Arsenal star makes first England appearance since November 2022 in the Lionesses’ Nations League clash against the Netherlands

Mead, 28, was brought on by Sarina Weigman at half-time during their UEFA Nations League clash, with her team down 2-0 at the break to the Netherlands.

Mead's return to the pitch in an England sparked a dramatic comeback in the must win game, with England levelling the score-line just after the hour mark, thanks to goals from Georgia Stanway and Lauren Hemp.

The return arrives just over a year since her last appearance for England, which was a 4-0 victory against Japan in November 2022, after suffering a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Speaking to The Independentlast month regarding her comeback from injury, Mead opened up on her struggles throughout the last year. “In January I lost my Mum and because of the injury I couldn’t play football, which was always my escape, my happy place," she said. "Moments when people thought I was fine because of my outgoing personality, were very dark.

“It’s been a tough process to understand. Teammates, people at the club, family and friends that supported me were so important, without them I could have been in a far darker place. I want to help create an environment in which it’s totally normal to address mental health. There’s not a perfect way of dealing with it, but if you feel you’re not alone it helps so much. We need to normalise mental health and in doing so that would go a long way.”

Following the Nations League fixtures with England against Netherlands and Scotland, Mead will return to Arsenal and prepare for the upcoming clash against Chelsea on December 10. Emma Hayes' squad currently sit at the top of the Women's Super League, with a three point gap on Arsenal in second.