
Beth Mead fighting to make World Cup but admits tournament may come too soon
England forward Beth Mead says she will “try my hardest” to make the summer’s World Cup while admitting “it may be a little bit too soon”. Mead, who claimed the Golden Boot and player of the tournament award when the Lionesses won the Euros on home soil last year, has been sidelined since suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Arsenal in November. In March, England boss Sarina Wiegman said she was planning for the World Cup without Mead, adding: “If a miracle happens and she goes so fast (in her recovery), then we will reconsider it – but at this moment I don’t expect that.” Speaking on Wednesday as she received an MBE at Windsor Castle for services to football, Mead told the PA news agency: “I’m back on the pitch, back kicking a ball. So it’s starting to be a little bit more normal again, but it’s been a long, tough period. “I will try my hardest to get as close to that as possible. But (the World Cup) may be a little bit too soon for me this time around.” Mead also told Sky Sports she was “ahead of schedule” in her recovery, before adding that her World Cup participation is “out of my control”. The showpiece in Australia and New Zealand gets under way on July 20, with Wiegman set to name her squad for the tournament later this month. Mead is one of four Arsenal players to have sustained ACL injuries this season, with England captain Leah Williamson another, along with Vivianne Miedema and Laura Wienroither. On the broader picture in terms of ACL injuries, Mead told PA: “I think there’s more that can be done. Obviously, we’ll be delving into that a lot more as individuals and as a club and in the women’s game in general. “I think it’s becoming like six more times likely than male players and we’ve got that figure and that’s something that can help. “It’s a long injury and you don’t want to be seeing any player going out with it, but some of the best players that you want to be seeing in World Cups and things like that (have sustained the injury). “We’ll try and help push that out there more and get more research done on that.” Also receiving an MBE on Wednesday was Mead’s England team-mate Lucy Bronze, who has been out of action herself after undergoing knee surgery last month. The Barcelona defender, whose club play Wolfsburg in the Champions League final on June 3, said: “I think (the World Cup) is really far in the future and I should be back training within a few weeks now. The surgery was two weeks ago but very minor compared to some of the other girls. “I’m hoping to get back fit for the Champions League final.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Ben Stokes left out of Chennai Super Kings side despite return to fitness Joy Neville to make history as first woman to officiate at men’s Rugby World Cup Jarrod Bowen knows from Danny Dyer what a trophy would mean to West Ham fans
1970-01-01 08:00

Cubs Rumors: Aroldis Chapman reunion, Dansby Swanson says relax, Morel wasted
Cubs Rumors: Dansby Swanson says relaxThe Cubs lost their first two games against the struggling St. Louis Cardinals in Willson Contreras's return to Wrigley Field. Contreras and the Cards entered that series with a drama-filled weekend, which includes the former All-Star catcher switching po...
1970-01-01 08:00

AT&T Byron Nelson DraftKings picks 2023: Best PGA DFS golf lineup
Breaking down AT&T Byron Nelson DraftKings picks for the week at TPC Craig Ranch with top plays, top fades and building a PGA DFS golf lineup.One week before the PGA Championship and it's a trip to Texas for the PGA Tour as we play the AT&T Byron Nelson this week at TPC Crai...
1970-01-01 08:00

NBA best bets today (Predictions for Jalen Brunson, LeBron James, Mitchell Robinson and more)
The Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers both could close out their playoff series on Wednesday night, but they are underdogs against the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors.After a brutal 0-3 night on Tuesday, I’m looking to bounce back with three player props and a moneyline parlay fo...
1970-01-01 08:00

Braves Rumors: Another bat added, Joc Pederson reunion, shortstop battle
Braves rumors: Atlanta adds Chad Pinder to infield mixAlex Anthopoulos values versatility, and that's exactly what Chad Pinder can bring to this Atlanta ballclub if called upon. Pinder has plenty of experience playing shortstop, second base, third base and both corner outfield spots. He can p...
1970-01-01 08:00

Sixers NBA Championship odds surge following Game 5 upset of Celtics
In one of the most shocking results of the NBA Playoffs to date, the Philadelphia 76ers took a 3-2 series lead in Boston against the NBA title favorites Celtics on Tuesday night, winning 115-103.The Sixers, who were seen as the most unlikely team to advance out of the second round due to an LCL ...
1970-01-01 08:00

Erling Haaland's father escorted from Bernabeu during Champions League semi-final
Why Alfie Haaland was escorted out by Real Madrid security during 1-1 Man City draw at the Bernabeu.
1970-01-01 08:00

Cardinals Rumors: Willson Contreras, Jack Flaherty, trade talk
Let's take a look at some of the latest St. Louis Cardinals news, including notes on Jack Flaherty, Willson Contreras, and potential trades.We'll start our roundup in Chicago where the St. Louis Cardinals have won three consecutive games, including a pair against the arch-rival Cubs. A...
1970-01-01 08:00

Sergio Busquets becomes last 2010/11 Champions League winner to leave Barcelona
Sergio Busquets impending exit will mean none of Barcelona's 2010/11 Champions League-winning squad are at the club.
1970-01-01 08:00

England forward Beth Mead ‘feeling good’ and sets sights on World Cup
England forward Beth Mead says she is “ahead of schedule” in her ACL injury recovery and still working towards the summer’s World Cup. Mead, who claimed the Golden Boot and player of the tournament award when the Lionesses won the Euros on home soil last year, has been sidelined since sustaining the injury while playing for Arsenal in November. In March, England boss Sarina Wiegman said Mead was at that point “not in our plans” for the World Cup, adding: “If a miracle happens and she goes so fast (in her recovery), then we will reconsider it – but at this moment I don’t expect that.” Speaking on Wednesday as she received an MBE at Windsor Castle for services to football, Mead told Sky Sports: “The injury is OK. “I’m a good five months in now, I am back on the pitch and kicking a ball again, feeling good, ahead of schedule, so that’s all I can do in my control right now.” Asked if she felt confident she was going to be at the World Cup, Mead said: “I wouldn’t say confident because that’s out of my control. “But I am working hard to try to get as close to that as possible, but at the end of the day, it’s probably going to be Sarina’s decision.” The World Cup in Australia and New Zealand gets under way on July 20, with Wiegman set to name her squad for the tournament later this month. Also receiving an MBE on Wednesday was Mead’s England team-mate Lucy Bronze, who has been out of action herself after undergoing knee surgery last month. The Barcelona defender, whose club play Wolfsburg in the Champions League final on June 3, said: “Mine’s very minor. I’m two weeks post-op, and then I’ve got a couple more weeks maximum. “I’m walking around really well. I’ve still got bandages on from the stitches but I’m actually doing really well physically and mentally, and feel really good and positive. “I think I’m in a better place now after the surgery than I was before it. I’ve had six knee surgeries, so I know what I’m doing, it’s pretty straightforward for me.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
1970-01-01 08:00

Beth Mead’s ACL recovery ‘ahead of schedule’
England forward Beth Mead says she is still hopeful of being fit for the World Cup and is “ahead of schedule” in her recovery from an ACL injury. Mead ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament playing for Arsenal in November and Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman said last month that it would be a “miracle” if she makes her squad for Australia and New Zealand. But Mead has returned to light training with Arsenal ahead of the July tournament and said she is determined to give herself every chance of making the 23-player squad when it is announced next month. "The injury’s okay,” Mead told Sky Sports News as she picked up her MBE for her role in England’s Euro 2022 win last summer. “I’m a good five months in and back on the pitch and kicking a ball again, feeling good, ahead of schedule. That’s all I can do that’s in my control right now. "I wouldn’t say I’m confident [of going to the World Cup] because it’s out of my control, but I’m working hard to get as close to it as possible. But at the end of the day, it’s probably going to be Sarina’s decision." England captain Leah Williamson will miss the World Cup due to an ACL injury while Fran Kirby is also out of the tournament with a knee problem that requires surgery. England manager Wiegman said ahead of the Finalissima in April that she did not expect Mead to be ready for the World Cup unless a “miracle happens”. “I had a conversation with her, she’s doing well, she’s in her rehab, she’s doing good, but the World Cup is actually too early,” Wiegman said. “So what we said is she’s not in our plans now, just really take the time to get back well. “If a miracle happens and she goes so fast, then we will reconsider it - but at this moment I don’t expect that.” Read More England’s World Cup squad: Who’s on the plane, and who’s got work to do? England suffer further World Cup blow as Fran Kirby ruled out of tournament Leah Williamson’s ACL injury has to be a final wake-up call for football
1970-01-01 08:00

NWSL power rankings: Week 6 forecasted with heavy Reign
Seattle take the top spot in the standings on points this week, but how have the power rankings changed based on this weekend's performances?Week six action has finally wrapped up as the NWSL continues to impress in terms of action and upsets. The Thorns are finally toppled off the top of t...
1970-01-01 08:00