Beth Mead and Fran Kirby return to Lionesses squad for Belgium double header in Nations League | OneFootball

Brighton’s Maisie Symonds earns first call-up amid midfield shortage

Arsenal star Mead is back in the England squad for next month’s double-header against Belgium

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Arsenal star Beth Mead has returned to the Lionesses squad for their Nations League double header against Belgium next month.

But the 29-year-old is fit again and has returned to the squad alongside Fran Kirby, who also missed out last time due to injury.

There is also a return to the squad for Manchester City’s Khiara Keating, with head coach Sarina Wiegman naming four goalkeepers.

Kirby is back in the England squad for their two games against Belgium

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Kirby’s Brighton team-mate Maisie Symonds has been called up to the senior squad for the first time after impressing at Under-23 level.

England are desperately short on midfield options because Georgia Stanway, Laura Blindkilde Brown and Ruby Mace are all out injured, so Symonds has got the nod.

Chloe Kelly, who was a late call-up to the squad in February after Mead pulled out, is in from the start this time after securing regular football at Arsenal on loan.

Tottenham forward Jess Naz has missed out on the squad, following Mead’s return to fitness.

England kicked off their Nations League campaign by drawing with Portugal and beating world champions Spain.

Wingman’s side will now host Belgium on April 4 in Bristol, before travelling to face them in Leuven four days later.

“It’s good for us to be back together so quickly after a positive start to this year,” said Wiegman.

“We have a lot we want to achieve in the Nations League and although we are satisfied with our start in the group, there’s much more work to be done to improve our game.

“After two very difficult fixtures against them in 2023 we know the challenge Belgium will pose. We will need to be fully focused and perform at our best to get the two results we are looking for.”