Coach Expects Mead to Bring Extra Energy

England women's head coach, Sarina Wiegman, has expressed her excitement over Beth Mead's return to the national team following her recovery from a long-term knee injury. Wiegman believes that Mead's inclusion in the squad will bring England an added boost of positive energy on and off the pitch.

Must-Win Games for Team GB Olympic Qualification

Wiegman emphasized the importance of the upcoming Women's Nations League clashes with Holland and Scotland, stating that these matches are crucial for Team GB's Olympic qualification hopes. With the pressure on, the Lionesses need to secure victories in order to stay in the running for next summer's Paris Olympics.

Mead's Impressive Return

Beth Mead, who has 50 senior England caps, made her long-awaited return to action for Arsenal last month after recovering from a knee ligament rupture. Since her comeback, Mead has made a notable impact, including providing the match-winning assist in the Gunners' recent victory over Aston Villa.

High Stakes for England

England's recent run of three losses in their last five games has put them in a challenging position. The Lionesses face Holland at Wembley on 1 December and then play Scotland at Hampden Park four days later. The team must secure victories in order to finish top of their group and have a chance at reaching the Women's Nations League finals, which determine the Olympic qualifiers.

Notable Absences and New Additions

The squad announcement revealed some notable absences, including Ellie Roebuck and Aggie Beever-Jones. Roebuck has yet to feature for Manchester City in the top-flight, while Beever-Jones has been in impressive form for Chelsea, currently the highest English scorer in the Women's Super League. On a positive note, Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating and Tottenham loan star Grace Clinton received their first call-ups last month.

Overall, Wiegman is hopeful that the return of Mead, along with the rest of the squad's determination and energy, will lead to success in the upcoming matches and keep Team GB's Olympic dreams alive.