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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Williamson makes comeback in cup clash</li><li>England skipper back after nine-month absence</li><li>Earps pays tribute to fellow Lioness</li></ul>

'So proud of you' - Mary Earps sends Lionesses team-mate Leah Williamson touching message after her Arsenal return following lengthy ACL layoff

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Arsenal Women

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England

Williamson made her much-anticipated comeback in Arsenal's WSL Cup win at Reading on Wednesday, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/leah-williamson-back-arsenal-acl-injury-lionesses-reading-fa-cup/blt5a2ccf491956f1d5#csb9cfff1962e408db" target="_blank">coming off the bench after an hour to set up a goal</a> for another recent ACL injury victim, Beth Mead. After the game, an emotional Williamson embraced team-mates and paid tribute on social media to the friendships that have kept her spirits up during her nine-month absence.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Replying to Williamson's post, England goalkeeper Earps posted via Instagram Stories: "She's back. You've smashed it, So proud of you."<picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt74dbfed696aecdfb/Leah.png?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt74dbfed696aecdfb/Leah.png?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt74dbfed696aecdfb/Leah.png?format=jpg" alt="Mary Earps" data-source="Instagram @1maryearps" data-copyright="Instagram @1maryearps" data-portal-copyright="Instagram @1maryearps" perform:prop="uuid:blt74dbfed696aecdfb;width:1290;height:2234"></picture>

WHAT MARY EARPS SAID

ACL injuries have become heartbreakingly commonplace in the women's game in recent years with a host of top players missing last summer's World Cup due to the same injury. Arsenal have been particularly hit hard with Williamson and Mead joined by Vivianne Miedama, Laura Wienroither and Laylan Marckese in the last two seasons. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/beth-mead-leah-williamson-arsenal-return-vivianne-miedema/bltc33152dae87dea5b#csec0826afe9bca000" target="_blank">That fact that was referenced by Mead after Wednesday night's win at Reading</a>.<picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt4205bec48b985efc/Snapinsta.app_422899833_7930773356938939_2562343015841587453_n_1179.jpg?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt4205bec48b985efc/Snapinsta.app_422899833_7930773356938939_2562343015841587453_n_1179.jpg?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt4205bec48b985efc/Snapinsta.app_422899833_7930773356938939_2562343015841587453_n_1179.jpg?format=jpg" alt="Beth Mead Instagram" data-source="" data-copyright="@bethmead_ Instagram" data-portal-copyright="@bethmead_ Instagram" perform:prop="uuid:blt4205bec48b985efc;width:1179;height:2096"></picture>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

England's Euro 2022 winning captain will be hoping to get some more minutes in her legs when Arsenal travel to Merseyside to take on Liverpool this Sunday. Earps, meanwhile, will star for United when they host Aston Villa on the same day.

WHAT NEXT FOR EARPS & WILLIAMSON?

'So proud of you' - Mary Earps sends Lionesses team-mate Leah Williamson touching message after her Arsenal return following lengthy ACL layoff | Goal.com

Mary Earps has sent a heartwarming message to her Lionesses team-mate Leah Williamson following the defender&apos;s return after a lengthy ACL layoff.

&apos;So proud of you&apos; - Mary Earps sends Lionesses team-mate Leah Williamson touching message after her Arsenal return following lengthy ACL layoff