Despite making her return for Arsenal mid-October, last month’s camp was too soon for the Gunners forward to return to International football.

Speaking in October, Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman said the forward was “not close” to making the squad. Adding “I think she first has to build at her club, show performance at her club, and get that consistency back. Then, of course, I hope she performs at that level that we hope she gets back on. Then we have an opportunity to select her and she has the opportunity to compete with the players who are in the squad right now.”

Arriving back to full-flight football in true Beth Mead fashion, the Gunners forward netted a brace last Sunday in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over West Ham United.

Fast forward to the final week of November, Wiegman’s squad announcement for England’s upcoming UEFA Nations League Fixtures saw Beth Mead named in the mix for the Lionesses.

Mead expressed her delight in making her return to St George’s Park in an England press conference on Tuesday, reflecting on the last 12 months.

“It’s been a year since I was here. I’ve worked hard, I’ve had a lot of tough days and I’m just super proud of myself, being able to get back into the fold and hopefully help the team at some point.”

Mead’s ACL injury saw her miss out on England’s summer campaign at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Reflecting on what that was like, she spoke, “(The World Cup) was a tough watch. I wanted to be there and kick and tackle and do every ball with them.

Mead added, “But those bad days feel so much better now I’m here and back on the pitch and doing what I love again. I’m very proud of what I’ve overcome in that time.”

“Each game I’ve been playing I’ve been feeling more confident, more like myself again.”

England’s upcoming fixtures in the UEFA Nations League are must-wins for Wiegman’s Lionesses. Now facing the threat of dropping out of qualification for next summer’s Paris Olympic Games, victories over both the Netherlands and Scotland are imperative.

England face the Netherlands at Wembley Stadium on Friday at 7:45pm.