BETH Mead will miss this summer's World Cup after losing her race against time to recover from a serious knee injury.

The Hinderwell-born forward hasn't played since November when she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The Arsenal forward, who won the golden boot and player of the tournament awards as England won the Euros last summer, revealed earlier this month that she was "ahead of schedule" with her recovery and hoped to be fit - but the 27-year-old hasn't been included in Sarina Wiegman’s England squad.

There is a place in the 23-player squad, however, for Stockton's Jordan Nobbs, despite sustaining an injury in Aston Villa’s penultimate game of the season, while former Sunderland defender Lucy Bronze is included, even though she had knee surgery last month.

There had been calls for Steph Houghton, who captained England for eight years, to return to ease defensive injury issues, but she hasn't been called up.

Striker Bethany England, who hasn't been involved for her country since last September, has been recalled after scoring 12 Women’s Super League goals for Tottenham since joining them from Chelsea in January.

Millie Bright is also included and Katie Zelem has been brought back after not making the last squad in April.

Skipper Leah Williamson and Fran Kirby had already been ruled out due to injury.

Jess Park, Maya Le Tissier and Emily Ramsey have been named on standby.

 

Wiegman’s European champions get their campaign at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand under way by facing Haiti in Brisbane on July 22 and will also take on Denmark and China in Group D.