Wales without seven players for World Cup play-off

What the report says

Wales will go into next month’s Women’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Albania without seven players because of injury and fitness problems, BBC Sport Football reports. Among those unavailable is Liverpool midfielder Ceri Holland, who has been an important part of Rhian Wilkinson’s side. The absences also include goalkeeper Olivia Clark, midfielders Hayley Ladd and Laura Hughes, wide players Ffion Morgan and Ella Powell, and defender Mia Ross.

Wilkinson has responded by bringing in two uncapped 18-year-olds for the squad: Newcastle United forward Casi Gregson and Tottenham Hotspur wide player Heidi Hills. The wider group also includes several other players with little or no senior international experience, leaving Wales thinner than usual in key positions, especially in goal and midfield. The BBC notes that Safia Middleton-Patel may be the only goalkeeper in the squad with any senior international experience.

Wales travel to Shkoder for the first leg on Friday, 9 October, before the return match in Llanelli four days later. The winners will meet Norway or Romania in the next round in December, with the possibility of further inter-confederation play-offs early next year if they are to reach the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. BBC Sport says the situation is a setback for Wales given Holland’s growing importance and the team’s recent improvement under Wilkinson.