Holland back in Wales squad after Euros scare

Liverpool forward Ceri Holland has been named in the Wales squad for the final Nations League group matches, two months after fears that she could miss Euro 2025.

Holland, 27, is part of a 26-strong squad named by manager Rhian Wilkinson for the decisive League A matches against Denmark in Odense on May 30 and against Italy in Swansea four days later.

The winger was taken off on a stretcher during Wales' 2-1 defeat by Denmark in April but scans showed her leg injury was not as serious as first thought and she returned for Liverpool later that month.

The news came as a great relief to not only the player, who was in tears coming off the pitch, but to a Wales team preparing for its first major women's tournament when they take on the Netherlands on 5 July in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Record cap-holder Jess Fishlock and striker Kayleigh Barton have also returned to Wilkinson's squad for the upcoming Nations League matches.

Like Holland, 38-year-old Fishlock, who is in line to win a 161st cap, was a late injury withdrawal for the 1-1 draw away to Sweden. Barton, 37, also missed the trip as well as the Denmark game in Cardiff four days earlier.

But experienced goalkeeper Laura O'Sullivan-Jones does not feature after sustaining an ACL injury which has also ruled her out of Euro 2025..

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.

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).