HEGE RIISE has ruthlessly axed Arsenal ace Beth Mead from the England squad to face Northern Ireland in an upcoming friendly.
The winger was the breakout star of the 2019 World Cup and already has 25 senior caps.
Beth Mead has been left out of the England squad to face Northern Ireland
Lyon have refused to let Nikita Parris leave to join up with England due to strict quarantine rules in France
But she has been left out of the team that will take on Northern Ireland at St George’s Park on Tuesday 23 February, in preparation for this year’s Tokyo Olympics.
Parris has also missed out after Lyon refused to let her leave due to strict quarantine regulations in France amid the coronavirus crisis.
Riise said: “For Beth Mead the player report hasn’t been that great and for me now to narrow down the squad it leaves her out.
“But as I’ve said if she performs every weekend then we will see.
“She hasn’t played that many games as most of them have been postponed so that’s a challenge also.”
It is Riise’s first squad since taking charge as interim boss after Phil Neville’s move to Inter Miami.
She added: “Parris is in Lyon and the regulations with Covid and quarantine when you go back to France meant Lyon didn’t want to release her.
“She will of course be in the squad going forward.”
Mead’s dad tweeted an angry emoji after Riise’s team selection was announced.
The pacy winger hasn’t been helped by many of the Gunner’s games being cancelled this term due to weather and a Covid-19 outbreak.
Who else is missing?
Riise has named a reduced group of 20 players, with Carly Telford and Toni Duggan also noteworthy absentees alongside Mead and Parris
Lauren James and Demi Stokes are both injured, with Esme Morgan also only recently back from a short spell on the sidelines.
But the Norwegian boss has included the uncapped quartet of Hannah Hampton, Sandy MacIver, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Ella Toone.
England squad in full
Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Birmingham), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), Sandy MacIver (Everton).
Defenders: Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal).
Midfielders: Jill Scott (Everton, on loan from Manchester City), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Georgia Stanway (Manchester City).
Forwards: Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Beth England (Chelsea), Ellen White (Manchester City), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City).
Riise is taking charge of the February camp, and will also be assistant manager of the Team GB squad in Tokyo.
There is a decision to be made after this camp as to whether she will be head coach or a new coach brought in for the Olympics.
New Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman takes over in September.
Watch Katie McCabe send Arsenal fans into meltdown with incredible free-kick against Tottenham
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
