Arsenal and England superstar Beth Mead, who has missed most of the WSL season with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, is reportedly ‘ahead of schedule’ in her injury rehabilitation [via BBC Sport].

While she is still set to miss out on the remainder of the current WSL season, she may be fit for the 2023 Women’s World Cup – although, it isn’t a guarantee.

On her unexpectedly fast recovery, Mead said: “I’m back on a pitch kicking a ball again, feeling good. I’m ahead of schedule so that’s all I can do in my control right now.

“I wouldn’t say I’m confident [of getting to the World Cup] because that’s out of my control but I’m working hard to get as close to that as possible.”

Mead isn’t the only Arsenal player to have suffered an ACL injury this season – Vivianne Miedema and Leah Williamson have also suffered season-ending ACL problems in the current campaign. In addition to this, Frank Kirby and Millie Bright could also miss out on the World Cup with knee injuries.

England’s first game in the World Cup will take place on July 22, when the Lionesses will face off against Haiti. Hopefully, they will be able to include Mead within their ranks.