Latest news with #Switzerland-bound
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Euro 2025: Sophie Ingle makes Wales squad after injury-hit season to lift hopes
Sophie Ingle missed the whole of the last domestic season after rupturing cruciate ligaments in a pre-season game. Sophie Ingle missed the whole of the last domestic season after rupturing cruciate ligaments in a pre-season game. Photograph: Jayde Chamberlain/SPP/Shutterstock Sophie Ingle has been included in the 23-member Wales squad for Euro 2025 in Switzerland after winning a race against time and recovering from the anterior cruciate ligament rupture sustained last September. That knee injury sidelined the much-decorated 33-year-old midfielder, who will leave Chelsea this summer, for the entire domestic season but her return to fitness represents a significant boost to Welsh hopes of exceeding expectations in their first major tournament. Advertisement Related: Lots of England players helping own families with Euro 2025 travel costs Rhian Wilkinson's squad – 30th in Fifa's rankings – have been placed in a tough initial group alongside the Netherlands, France and England but their capacity to cause an upset is boosted by the presence of their record scorer and cap-holder, Jess Fishlock, alongside Ingle in midfield. Although now 38, Fishlock is still going strong in the United States at Seattle Reign and, as the undoubted star of the team, cannot be underestimated by even the best opponents. She and Ingle will be joined by her Reign teammate Angharad James, the Wales captain, in a formidable-looking midfield. The trio hold 432 international caps. It also helps that Wilkinson, who is half-Welsh, is no tactical slouch. The 43-year-old former 183-cap Canada defender managed Portland Thorns to the NWSL title in the US in 2022 and served as a highly regarded assistant coach with Canada's and England's women. Advertisement Since her arrival in February 2024 Wales have only once lost by more than a goal but scoring freely can remain a problem. The hope is that this can be remedied by the return to full fitness of the prolific Crystal Palace striker Elise Hughes after her second ACL rupture. Olivia Clark (Leicester), Safia (correct) Middleton-Patel (Manchester United), Poppy Soper (unattached), Charlie Estcourt (DC Power), Gemma Evans (Liverpool), Josie Green (Crystal Palace), Hayley Ladd (Everton), Esther Morgan (Sheffield United), Ella Powell (Bristol City), Rhiannon Roberts (unattached), Lily Woodham (Seattle Reign), Jess Fishlock (Seattle Reign), Alice Griffiths (Unattached), Ceri Holland (Liverpool), Sophie Ingle (unattached), Angharad James (Seattle Reign), Lois Joel (Newcastle), Rachel Rowe (Southampton), Kayleigh Barton (unattached), Hannah Cain (Leicester), Elise Hughes (Crystal Palace), Carrie Jones (IFK Norkoping), Ffion Morgan (Bristol City). Wilkinson, flanked by the Leicester goalkeeper Olivia Clark and the unattached former Real Betis defender Rhiannon Roberts, climbed to the top of Yr Wyddfa, previously known as Snowdon, on Thursday morning before naming her Switzerland-bound party from the mountain's summit. Squad announcements can rarely have been so innovative, or camera-friendly. On Sunday the players will fly to Portugal for a week's training on the Algarve before arriving at their base in Lipperswil in north-east Switzerland, between Zurich and St Gallen and close to Lake Constance. With more than 2,000 Wales fans attending the team's matches in Lucerne (against the Netherlands) and St Gallen (against France and England), the tournament's lowest-ranked side are poised to be among the best-supported teams in Switzerland.
Glasgow Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Sophie Ingle '50-50' for Euro 2025 after ACL injury – Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson
Ingle suffered the problem in September and is desperately trying to make Wilkinson's Switzerland-bound squad, which will be named on June 19. The 141-times capped midfielder's departure from Sonia Bompastor's treble winners was announced on May 9, but the 33-year-old has continued her rehabilitation at Chelsea – where she made 214 senior appearances. Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson, pictured, says Ingle is 50-50 to play at this summer's Euros (Martin Rickett/PA) 'I'd have to say 50-50,' Wilkinson said when asked about Ingle's availability this summer in unveiling her squad for closing Nations League matches against Denmark and Italy. 'She's doing really well and is on course (for the Euros). She's not part of this camp because I thought it interfered with her return to play. 'She will join us after Denmark (game), she will be part of this camp but not rostered. 'ACLs are vastly different dependent on the athlete. I don't always think ahead of schedule is great if you skip steps, but I trust Chelsea has done everything properly. After 214 appearances, Sophie Ingle will depart Chelsea at the end of the season. Thank you for being blue, Sophie. 🥺💙 — (C)helsea FC Women 🏆🏆🏆 (@ChelseaFCW) May 9, 2025 'I need to see her and have clear conversations with her before I make that decision. I do want her back, but not at the risk of Sophie Ingle's knee.' Ingle captained Wales 83 times between February 2015 and April 2024 before stepping down from the role. She won five Women's Super League titles and three FA Cups, among other trophies, in two spells at Chelsea. 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.' Wales conclude their Nations League campaign by meeting Denmark in Odense on May 30 and hosting Italy in Swansea four days later. The Dragons are currently bottom of League A4 with two points from four games, having drawn twice against group leaders Sweden. CARFAN CYMRU 🏴 Our final games before @WEURO2025 👊 — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) May 20, 2025 While a swift return to League B looks likely, Wilkinson is seeking two positive performances before naming her 23-strong Euros squad. 'Probably around 20 (squad places) I'm clear on and then there's three that can go either way on both sides – and will go the wire,' Wilkinson said. 'It is the hardest part of my job. It's terrible, but part of the job. 'They know that some of them are going to have dreams come true, whereas others who have given so much to this qualification journey might not be with us right at the end. It's going to be a tough camp for that.'
South Wales Guardian
21-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Sophie Ingle '50-50' for Euro 2025 after ACL injury – Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson
Ingle suffered the problem in September and is desperately trying to make Wilkinson's Switzerland-bound squad, which will be named on June 19. The 141-times capped midfielder's departure from Sonia Bompastor's treble winners was announced on May 9, but the 33-year-old has continued her rehabilitation at Chelsea – where she made 214 senior appearances. 'I'd have to say 50-50,' Wilkinson said when asked about Ingle's availability this summer in unveiling her squad for closing Nations League matches against Denmark and Italy. 'She's doing really well and is on course (for the Euros). She's not part of this camp because I thought it interfered with her return to play. 'She will join us after Denmark (game), she will be part of this camp but not rostered. 'ACLs are vastly different dependent on the athlete. I don't always think ahead of schedule is great if you skip steps, but I trust Chelsea has done everything properly. After 214 appearances, Sophie Ingle will depart Chelsea at the end of the season. Thank you for being blue, Sophie. 🥺💙 — (C)helsea FC Women 🏆🏆🏆 (@ChelseaFCW) May 9, 2025 'I need to see her and have clear conversations with her before I make that decision. I do want her back, but not at the risk of Sophie Ingle's knee.' Ingle captained Wales 83 times between February 2015 and April 2024 before stepping down from the role. She won five Women's Super League titles and three FA Cups, among other trophies, in two spells at Chelsea. 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.' Wales conclude their Nations League campaign by meeting Denmark in Odense on May 30 and hosting Italy in Swansea four days later. The Dragons are currently bottom of League A4 with two points from four games, having drawn twice against group leaders Sweden. CARFAN CYMRU 🏴 Our final games before @WEURO2025 👊 — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) May 20, 2025 While a swift return to League B looks likely, Wilkinson is seeking two positive performances before naming her 23-strong Euros squad. 'Probably around 20 (squad places) I'm clear on and then there's three that can go either way on both sides – and will go the wire,' Wilkinson said. 'It is the hardest part of my job. It's terrible, but part of the job. 'They know that some of them are going to have dreams come true, whereas others who have given so much to this qualification journey might not be with us right at the end. It's going to be a tough camp for that.'
Rhyl Journal
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Sophie Ingle '50-50' for Euro 2025 after ACL injury – Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson
Ingle suffered the problem in September and is desperately trying to make Wilkinson's Switzerland-bound squad, which will be named on June 19. The 141-times capped midfielder's departure from Sonia Bompastor's treble winners was announced on May 9, but the 33-year-old has continued her rehabilitation at Chelsea – where she made 214 senior appearances. 'I'd have to say 50-50,' Wilkinson said when asked about Ingle's availability this summer in unveiling her squad for closing Nations League matches against Denmark and Italy. 'She's doing really well and is on course (for the Euros). She's not part of this camp because I thought it interfered with her return to play. 'She will join us after Denmark (game), she will be part of this camp but not rostered. 'ACLs are vastly different dependent on the athlete. I don't always think ahead of schedule is great if you skip steps, but I trust Chelsea has done everything properly. After 214 appearances, Sophie Ingle will depart Chelsea at the end of the season. Thank you for being blue, Sophie. 🥺💙 — (C)helsea FC Women 🏆🏆🏆 (@ChelseaFCW) May 9, 2025 'I need to see her and have clear conversations with her before I make that decision. I do want her back, but not at the risk of Sophie Ingle's knee.' Ingle captained Wales 83 times between February 2015 and April 2024 before stepping down from the role. She won five Women's Super League titles and three FA Cups, among other trophies, in two spells at Chelsea. 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.' Wales conclude their Nations League campaign by meeting Denmark in Odense on May 30 and hosting Italy in Swansea four days later. The Dragons are currently bottom of League A4 with two points from four games, having drawn twice against group leaders Sweden. CARFAN CYMRU 🏴 Our final games before @WEURO2025 👊 — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) May 20, 2025 While a swift return to League B looks likely, Wilkinson is seeking two positive performances before naming her 23-strong Euros squad. 'Probably around 20 (squad places) I'm clear on and then there's three that can go either way on both sides – and will go the wire,' Wilkinson said. 'It is the hardest part of my job. It's terrible, but part of the job. 'They know that some of them are going to have dreams come true, whereas others who have given so much to this qualification journey might not be with us right at the end. It's going to be a tough camp for that.'
North Wales Chronicle
21-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Sophie Ingle '50-50' for Euro 2025 after ACL injury – Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson
Ingle suffered the problem in September and is desperately trying to make Wilkinson's Switzerland-bound squad, which will be named on June 19. The 141-times capped midfielder's departure from Sonia Bompastor's treble winners was announced on May 9, but the 33-year-old has continued her rehabilitation at Chelsea – where she made 214 senior appearances. 'I'd have to say 50-50,' Wilkinson said when asked about Ingle's availability this summer in unveiling her squad for closing Nations League matches against Denmark and Italy. 'She's doing really well and is on course (for the Euros). She's not part of this camp because I thought it interfered with her return to play. 'She will join us after Denmark (game), she will be part of this camp but not rostered. 'ACLs are vastly different dependent on the athlete. I don't always think ahead of schedule is great if you skip steps, but I trust Chelsea has done everything properly. After 214 appearances, Sophie Ingle will depart Chelsea at the end of the season. Thank you for being blue, Sophie. 🥺💙 — (C)helsea FC Women 🏆🏆🏆 (@ChelseaFCW) May 9, 2025 'I need to see her and have clear conversations with her before I make that decision. I do want her back, but not at the risk of Sophie Ingle's knee.' Ingle captained Wales 83 times between February 2015 and April 2024 before stepping down from the role. She won five Women's Super League titles and three FA Cups, among other trophies, in two spells at Chelsea. 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.' Wales conclude their Nations League campaign by meeting Denmark in Odense on May 30 and hosting Italy in Swansea four days later. The Dragons are currently bottom of League A4 with two points from four games, having drawn twice against group leaders Sweden. CARFAN CYMRU 🏴 Our final games before @WEURO2025 👊 — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) May 20, 2025 While a swift return to League B looks likely, Wilkinson is seeking two positive performances before naming her 23-strong Euros squad. 'Probably around 20 (squad places) I'm clear on and then there's three that can go either way on both sides – and will go the wire,' Wilkinson said. 'It is the hardest part of my job. It's terrible, but part of the job. 'They know that some of them are going to have dreams come true, whereas others who have given so much to this qualification journey might not be with us right at the end. It's going to be a tough camp for that.'
