Liverpool’s Ceri Holland back in Wales squad after injury

Liverpool forward Ceri Holland has been named in the Wales squad for the final Nations League group matches two months after she sustained an injury.

What happened?

The 27-year-old was included is part of manager Rhian Wilkinson 26-man squad for matches against Denmark on May 30 and Italy four days later. Holland was taken off on a stretcher during Wales’ 2-1 defeat by Denmark in April in what seemed like an injury to her ankle but scans showed her leg injury was not as serious and she returned for Liverpool later that month.

The news came as a great relief to not only the player, following fears of the possibility of missing out on the Euros, but to a Wales team preparing for its first major women’s tournament when they take on the Netherlands on 5 July in Switzerland.

Record cap-holder Jess Fishlock and striker Kayleigh Barton have also returned to Wilkinson’s squad for the upcoming Nations League matches. But veteran goalkeeper Laura O’Sullivan-Jones does not feature in Wilkinson’s squad after sustaining a tear to her Anterior Cruciate Ligament which has also ruled her out of Euro 2025.

Read: Hemp, Stanway, and Greenwood back for England after injury spell

Eighteen-year-old Aston Villa keeper Soffia Kelly has been called up in her place, one of three uncapped teenagers along with fellow stopper Poppy Soper and Bristol City forward Tianna Teisar. Manchester United’s once-capped 18-year-old midfielder Mared Griffiths is also included.

Wales will be relegated from League A if they lose to Denmark or if they draw and Italy do not lose to Sweden.

Wales squad

Goalkeepers:

Olivia Clark (Leicester City), Safia Middleton-Patel (Manchester United), Soffia Kelly (Aston Villa), Poppy Soper (Blackburn Rovers).

Defenders:

Rhiannon Roberts (Real Betis), Josie Green (Crystal Palace), Charlie Estcourt (DC Power), Hayley Ladd (Everton), Gemma Evans (Liverpool), Mayzee Davies (Manchester City), Lily Woodham (Crystal Palace – on loan from Seattle Reign), Ella Powell (Bristol City), Esther Morgan (Sheffield United).

Midfielders:

Alice Griffiths (Durham – on loan from Southampton), Angharad James (Seattle Reign), Lois Joel (Newcastle United), Carrie Jones (IFK Norrköping), Jess Fishlock (Seattle Reign), Mared Griffiths (Manchester United).

Forwards:

Ceri Holland (Liverpool), Rachel Rowe (Southampton), Kayleigh Barton (Charlton Athletic), Tianna Teisar (Bristol City), Hannah Cain (Leicester City), Ffion Morgan (Bristol City), Elise Hughes (Crystal Palace).