Sophie Ingle “ahead of schedule” as Wales prepare to face Italy
CARDIFF, WALES - 15 JULY 2024: Wales' Sophie Ingle during a training session at the Vale Resort in Cardiff on the 15th of July 2024. (Pic by Ashley Crowden/FAW)
As Wales prepare to take on Italy in their final Nations League game, Rhian Wilkinson has given injury updates on a number of players in the squad.
Wales were defeated 1-0 by Denmark on Friday night, and they suffered a blow just three minutes in as Mayzee Davies suffered a nasty looking injury.
Rhiannon Roberts was also absent from the loss in Odense, after she picked up a knock in training.
Wilkinson says that both players are still being monitored by Wales’ medical staff but hasn’t ruled either out of being part of her summer plans.
“The medical situation of both players are still ongoing. We’re making sure we’re looking after them as much as possible knowing we had two important games this window, but also knowing we have the Euros coming up too.
“Whenever you see a player go down like Mayzee did, you’re concerned, and our fingers are crossed for her to heal quickly, but she’s also a young player, so we’re making sure she’s being looked after appropriately.
“At this stage, I’m not ruling anyone out.”
However, Wales were boosted by the return of Sophie Ingle to training.
It was always the plan to have the former captain training in the runup to the final game, and while she won’t be involved against Italy, the manager says the midfielder is ahead of schedule in her return from an ACL injury.
“Sophie is ahead of schedule. When it comes to scheduling with an ACL, it’s all about how a player is feeling and feeling in the knee, and she’s feeling good. It’s good to have her back in our environment and back with the group.
“Sophie just needs to keep doing everything she’s doing right now. She’s working really hard, she’s been training with Chelsea which is a good environment, and we also have Wales camps coming up that she’ll be a part of.
“Every knee injury is unique and unique to every player, but she’s getting great support at club and at Wales.”
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Friday Frustrations
Wales were relegated from Nations League A after losing to the Danes but will certainly be ruing Jess Fishlock’s non-goal in the first half.
While discussions will continue over whether the ball had crossed the line or not, Wilkinson reiterated once again that her side have to continue to find goals.
“The frustrations we have from Friday night are obvious. That goal would have definitely changed the flow of the game, and it’s hard not to let yourself think about that. We had enough time to score again, but we didn’t, and that’s what we have to focus on.
“We had a lot of positive takeaways from the game, but the biggest one we walk away with is frustration. We’re getting close now, but I don’t want to be a team that just gets close, and neither do the players.
“The team have done a remarkable job of coming so far in a year, but it’s not enough to be close. We’re banging on the door.”
As the manager says, Wales have had plenty of nearly performances during this campaign, but the one thing missing is that statement win.
Midfielder Lois Joel knows the team is getting better game by game but understands the need to keep working on small things in order to find three points.
“We, as players, echo Rhian’s feelings and thoughts. We know we’re really close to that first win, and it’s about fine-tuning stuff. We’ve said that a few times after games now and it is frustrating, but we have to keep chipping away at it.
“There’s only been one goal in it when it comes to our defeats, but we have to find ways to win a bit better, manage momentum a bit better, but overall, we are improving.”
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One Last Chance
Tuesday’s game at the Swansea.com Stadium will be the final one before Rhian Wilkinson names her squad for the Euros on June 19th.
For the players on the fringes of the starting eleven, including Joel, the game will represent the final chance to make a case to start that first game against The Netherlands in Luzern, and the Newcastle midfielder is desperate to cause selection headaches.
“I’m just staying ready for any opportunity that comes. The good thing is that we have a very competitive group here, and my job is to try and make Rhian’s job more difficult with team selections and subs and so on.
“I have to try and stay ready and make the most of the minutes that I get.”
However, Wales are coming up against an Italian side who themselves are currently on an upward trajectory.
A huge 3-0 win over Denmark, coupled with a goalless draw against Sweden on Friday, means Italy still have an outside chance of finishing top of the group, and Wilkinson is looking forward to facing a side full of quality players.
“Italy have been trending in an upward direction for a while now. Their coach has done a great job with them, and they’re very clear on how they play. They can change up their tactics quickly and the players the coach has got at his disposal are really exciting.
“We need to play the best to beat the best. I enjoy how they play, and they will be a great last test for us as a team before we go and play three more top nations in the Euros.”
