LONDON (AP) — England forward Beth Mead will miss the Women's World Cup after failing to recover in time from a knee injury.
Mead, who has been sidelined since November because of an ACL problem, joined key players Leah Williamson — England's captain — and Fran Kirby in missing out because of injury when the 23-person squad was announced Wednesday.
Mead is a huge loss, having been the top scorer and player of the tournament last year when England won the European Championship on home soil.
Bethany England returned to the squad after being overlooked since September and center back Millie Bright, who has been out with a knee injury since March, has made the squad. Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze also is in despite having knee surgery in April.
England's opening match is against Haiti on July 22.
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