![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/heartbroken-england-trio-who-missed-lionesses-world-cup-run-and-their-returns-from-injury/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/0_Arsenal-Women-Training-Session.jpg&description=The Lionesses had to battle through their World Cup campaign without three key players - but will we see any returns for a Nations League double header with Scotland and Netherlands? England came very close to winning a first ever World Cup this summer. Not only did Sarina Wiegman's team reach a maiden final, before losing 1-0 to Spain, they did so without a trio of key players. Inspirational captain missed the entire tournament after rupturing her ACL last season during Arsenal's 1-0 defeat to Man Utd in the WSL. Her club mate was also absent from England's quest for glory Down Under after suffering a similar injury in the reverse fixture. The Sports Personality of the Year winner did make a late bid to make the squad, but was ultimately unsuccessful. And , a key figure who played in every game at Euro 2022, also missed out due to needing surgery on a knee problem that troubled her for a sizeable portion of last season. The Chelsea star failed to make the final 23-player squad with Man Utd's Ella Toone taking her place in the starting XI for the tournament. But with England facing a Nations League double header this month and new WSL season on the horizon, how close are the trio to a return? Here's when we might see each player back on a football pitch. It is now 10 months since we saw in action. The UEFA Player of the Tournament at Euro 2022 hobbled off in the closing seconds of a 3-2 WSL defeat to Man Utd. Only days later it was confirmed she had ruptured her ACL. But Mead is now closing in on a return, overcoming her disappointment of missing out on the World Cup. She confirmed to Mirror Football back in July that she was "pretty much" back in full training. Mead then last week said she was simply "waiting to get some minutes" on the BBC's Behind The Goals podcast and that she is ready to go. Arsenal are in Champions League action on Wednesday against Swedish side Linkoping in their first qualifying tie. Even if she starts from the bench, some minutes for Mead a){kind=link}
The Lionesses had to battle through their World Cup campaign without three key players – but will we see any returns for a Nations League double header with Scotland and Netherlands?
England came very close to winning a first ever World Cup this summer.
Not only did Sarina Wiegman’s team reach a maiden final, before losing 1-0 to Spain, they did so without a trio of key players. Inspirational captain Leah Williamson missed the entire tournament after rupturing her ACL last season during Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Man Utd in the WSL.
Her club mate Beth Mead was also absent from England’s quest for glory Down Under after suffering a similar injury in the reverse fixture. The Sports Personality of the Year winner did make a late bid to make the squad, but was ultimately unsuccessful.
And Fran Kirby, a key figure who played in every game at Euro 2022, also missed out due to needing surgery on a knee problem that troubled her for a sizeable portion of last season. The Chelsea star failed to make the final 23-player squad with Man Utd’s Ella Toone taking her place in the starting XI for the tournament.