Sophie Ingle makes Wales Euros squad despite lengthy ACL lay-off
Sophie Ingle has been named in Wales' European Championship squad despite being out since September with anterior cruciate ligament damage.
The Welsh broke Republic of Ireland hearts last December when they prevailed 3-2 in a thrilling two-legged play-off to reach the Euros. It's the first time their women's side have qualified for a major tournament.
The 33-year-old Ingle - who has won 141 caps and led Wales 83 times from 2015 to 2024 before stepping down from the role - suffered an ACL injury playing for Chelsea in a pre-season friendly and has been in a race against time to make next month's tournament in Switzerland.
Ingle left Chelsea at the end of the season after seven years, during which she has made 214 appearances for the Blues, but continued her rehabilitation at the London club.
Ingle's importance to Wales is huge and boss Rhian Wilkinson has said that the midfielder being at the Women's Super League champions was an advantage for the Dragons.
Wilkinson said: "When you have a player at a top club, it means their four-cornered staffing is of a level, and that includes the medical.
"For some of my players that might be at smaller clubs with less resources, the FAW might have to step in more to support.
"In this case we very much follow their lead and are comfortable with the training plan that they've so expertly put together. Absolutely it's been an advantage for us."
Last month Wilkinson rated the former Wales captain as "50-50" to play at the Euros, saying she "wanted her back but not at the risk of Sophie Ingle's knee".
Wilkinson's 23-strong squad for Wales' first major tournament includes few surprises.
Defender Rhiannon Roberts is included after injury ruled her out of Nations League action last month, and veteran forward Jess Fishlock is the star name in a squad skippered by her Seattle Reign team-mate Angharad James.
The former Everton and Tottenham midfielder is one of four centurions in the squad, alongside Fishlock, Ingle and Hayley Ladd.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Soffia Kelly, Manchester City defender Mayzee Davies, Bristol City forward Tianna Teisar and Manchester United striker Mared Griffiths miss out after being in the squad for last month's Nations League games against Denmark and Italy.
The 18-year-old Davies suffered a rupture to her ACL against Denmark and faces a considerable spell on the sidelines.
Wales kick-off their tournament against the Netherlands in Lucerne on 5 July.
Their remaining two games are in St Gallen with France on 9 July and against reigning European champions England on 13 July.
Wales squad: O Clark (Leicester), S Middleton-Patel (Man Utd), P Soper (unattached), C Estcourt (DC Power), G Evans (Liverpool), J Green (C Palace), H Ladd (Everton), E Morgan (Sheff Utd), E Powell (Bristol City), R Roberts (unattached), L Woodham (Seattle Reign), A Griffiths (unattached), J Fishlock (Seattle Reign), C Holland (Liverpool), S Ingle (unattached), A James (Seattle Reign), L Joel (Newcastle), R Rowe (Southampton), K Barton (unattached), H Cain (Leicester), E Hughes (C Palace), C Jones (IFK Norrkoping), F Morgan (Bristol City).
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