Wales players ‘buzzing’ at Ingle’s Euro 2025 return

Wales’ players are “buzzing” about Sophie Ingle’s return, who claims she is fit to start their first major tournament game.

After having anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery, the former Wales captain and record-holder in the Women’s Super League (WSL) has not played a competitive game in more than a year.

The 33-year-old midfielder, however, claims she is feeling “like herself again” and is set to start Saturday against the Netherlands in Lucerne.

She worked so hard to recreate this moment, and I believe she only offers a different level of expertise and ability based on both her on and off the field.

Ingle expressed her relief at being chosen for Wales’ 23-player squad last week, saying she would be ready to play if chosen, but that the former Chelsea midfielder now believes she is ready to play against the Netherlands.

She stated, “I’m feeling really good.” Every day I’m on the pitch, I feel more self-assured and confident, and this week’s majority of the girls said, “Looks like you haven’t been out for nine months,” which is obviously a compliment and gives me more confidence.

“Sometimes you don’t really know how you play, how you look when you run, or how you look when you kick a ball, but it’s really nice to hear that feedback from the girls.”

Then, when I watch my training clips back, I start to feel like myself again and move really well around the pitch.

Ingle acknowledges that being on the squad is a great relief, especially since there is no guarantee that she will recover in time.

I believe this because they consistently recommend recuperating from an ACL injury in nine to twelve months. However, as you’ve seen over the past year, particularly with some of my club’s teammates, they’ve overstayed the 12-month mark, she said.

In a difficult Euro 2025 qualifying group that includes England and France, Scotland’s Striker Kayleigh Barton claims the return of Ingle has pleased the entire Wales squad as they attempt to upset that country in Switzerland.

Sophie is a professional, according to Barton, who knew from the beginning that she had a goal in mind and was aware of her goals.

Because of Sophie’s presence both on and off the pitch, it’s fantastic that we have her back with us in the squad.

She is a fantastic character, and she always makes me smile every day, and I’m so happy she’s succeeded in achieving her goals of returning to the team.

Ingle has won numerous awards during his glittering club career with Chelsea, but he anticipates Saturday to be a career highlight when Wales’ players debut in front of their friends and family in Lucerne.

“Yes, I’m anxious.” Can’t wait to see the fans there, she said. The families are “more excited than we are,” he said.

We frequently receive messages from our families telling them they’re eager to leave, and I believe we do the same for the fans.