Holland back in Wales squad after Euros scare

Two months after rumors that Liverpool forward Ceri Holland might not play for Euro 2025, she has been chosen to play for Wales in the final Nations League group games.

Rhian Wilkinson has named a 26-person squad for the crucial League A games against Denmark on May 30 in Odense and Italy in Swansea four days later.

The winger was taken off on a stretcher in April’s 2-1 defeat to Denmark by Wales, but scans revealed she had a leg injury that wasn’t as serious as initially anticipated. She then returned to Liverpool later that month.

The news was a great relief for the Welsh team, which is gearing up for their first major women’s tournament against the Netherlands on July 5 in Lucerne, Switzerland, despite the player’s incense coming off the pitch.

For the upcoming Nations League games, Kayleigh Barton and record-holder Jess Fishlock have both made a return to Wilkinson’s squad.

However, seasoned goalkeeper Laura O’Sullivan-Jones is sidelined for Euro 2025 due to an ACL injury.

Soffia Kelly, 18, one of three uncapped teenagers, along with fellow stopper Poppy Soper and Bristol City forward Tianna Teisar, has been called up in her place.

Mared Griffiths, a former Manchester United player of 18 years old, is also a part of the team.

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), and Esther Morgan (Sheffield United) are the defenders.

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