After missing a year due to a catastrophic knee injury, Arsenal attacker Beth Mead has been returned to the England squad for crucial Women’s Nations League fixtures.
Sarina Wiegman’s team will face the Netherlands at Wembley Stadium on December 1 before facing Scotland four days later at Hampden Park.
Mead, who earned the Golden Boot in England’s Euro 2022 triumph, tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in November.
England is currently third in Nations League Group A1, three points behind leaders the Netherlands and one point behind Belgium.
Scotland are bottom of the table with one point.
The Lionesses, who are attempting to qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris on behalf of Great Britain, must win their group if they are to have any chance of qualifying.
Wiegman, whose side was a beaten finalist in this year’s Women’s World Cup, understands the stakes.
“We know we’ll need to win our last two games of 2023 and we’ll give everything we have for that outcome,” said the former Netherlands coach.
“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.
“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.”
Grace Clinton of Tottenham Hotspur and Khiara Keating of Manchester City have both retained their places in the squad after getting their first senior call-ups in October.