Wilkinson explains decision to include Ingle in Wales' squad
The 33-year-old, who has won 141 caps, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury playing for Chelsea in a pre-season friendly last September and has been in a race against time to make next month's Euros in Switzerland.
Wales boss Wilkinson said: 'We needed to make sure that Sophie was in a good place, that she's obviously still on her path to full fitness.
'But, she's in a position now where she can contribute and that was important for us.
'Just a really great mix in this squad, which I think is exciting for me, equally for the Welsh public. A wonderful representation of the country.'
Defender Rhiannon Roberts is included after injury ruled her out of Nations League action last month, while veteran forward Jess Fishlock is the star name in a squad skippered by her Seattle Reign team-mate Angharad James.
Wales kick-off their tournament against the Netherlands in Lucerne on July 5.
Their remaining two games are in St Gallen versus France on July 9 and against reigning European champions England on July 13.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
33 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Time to step up – Lee Carsley issues challenge to England Under-21s
It is two years since the Young Lions won the competition for the first time since 1984, and just the third time in their history, by beating the Spaniards 1-0 in a tense final in Georgia. La Rojita will look to avenge that loss in Saturday's quarter-final in Slovakia as England seek to keep their title defence alive by bouncing bounce back from Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Germany. 'I think it's important that when people watch England Under-21s play back at home, they're excited by the way they're playing,' boss Carsley said. 'We want to see real attacking football, aggressive football, because what we've done in the past has got us to this position. 'If we're going to win major tournaments, these are the moments where we have to step up. 'To get out of the group we must give them the positives for that. It's always balanced with the losing the game, which is disappointing, especially in the manner that we did. Our #YoungLions training under the Slovakian sun ☀️ Tomorrow: Spain v England in the #U21EURO quarter-finals! — England (@England) June 20, 2025 'Probably the first 20 minutes wasn't great, but a lot of positives from that moment onwards in terms of still creating a lot of chances, a lot better in the second half. 'All of that has to go down to the players and the way they approached the second half and hopefully the plan is that they carry that now into the start of the game against Spain.' Carsley's England may boast some exciting talents and head into the quarter-final as holders, but Spain are considered the bookmakers' favourites to win the Trnava encounter. 'I don't feel like an underdog,' head coach Carsley said. 'I think there's still a massive expectation that against Spain we can perform, and that's all we need to do. A post shared by England football team (@england) 'If we can perform, we can play to our ability, we've got a great chance of winning the game. 'I believe that Spain are a top team. Anyone that was with us in the last Euros, you have to beat all of the top teams and Spain are another team we've got a lot of respect for. 'The final that we had a couple of years ago was so close, could have gone either way. We scored a fortunate goal and played OK in the game. 'But there's definitely a lot more to come from us if we're going to progress.'
North Wales Chronicle
36 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton hopes to ‘live up to the legacy' of Mary Earps
Earps was instrumental in inspiring the Lionesses to their first major trophy on home turf in 2022, but had been slipping in boss Sarina Wiegman's favour behind 24-year-old Chelsea shot-stopper Hampton before announcing she would be stepping away from international football last month. Hampton felt her predecessor did not deserve the 'scrutiny' she experienced in the aftermath, but conceded she was 'not expecting' a reply to a congratulatory text she sent Earps, 32, after she made her shock decision public. living out the dream of a little girl from the Midlands who never stopped believing. proud to be representing my country at another major tournament🏴 — Hannah Hampton (@hannahhampton_) June 5, 2025 'We're going to miss her as a person here,' Hampton said. 'She's a big personality in this team and she glued us all together at times when we needed (her) to. 'So, I think it's been difficult for everyone to come to terms with what her decision is, but we have to respect that. And now I've got to just go and live up to her legacy. I'll give it my best shot for sure.' In April, Wiegman confirmed the younger keeper was 'a little bit ahead' of two-time FIFA Best winner Earps. 'First of all we have to obviously respect what (Earps') decision is,' said Hampton. 'I think there's been quite a bit of scrutiny that she probably doesn't deserve with everything that she's achieved in the game and obviously (she's) put women's goalkeeping on the map for the younger generation, aspiring to now be a goalkeeper. 'It was never really a thing and Mary's changed that. There's so many more young boys and girls taking part in goalkeeping, which was never the case when I was growing up. 'I think I've done everything I need to do. I've sent her a text and I congratulated her on a very successful international career and I think that's all I really can do. 'I don't think there's anything else and I'm not expecting anything back. She's been an unbelievable player.' Hampton has steadily risen up the ranks for both club and country since joining Chelsea from Aston Villa in 2023. And ahead of England's Euros defence – which begins against France on July 5, she added: 'I think of it as just playing another game of football. 'There's not really much pressure that you can put on yourself. We're here as a big team. Mary Earps has today announced her decision to retire from international football with immediate effect. The decision marks the end of a memorable eight-year international career. ❤️ 🏴 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) May 27, 2025 'You'll get through the games as a big team, whether that was me starting or me on the sidelines supporting – you knew what your role was going to be for the whole of the summer. 'Just getting that bit of clarity already helps you prepare for whatever your role is. My role is different this time around compared to the last tournaments, but it's not going to change my mindset. 'I'm there to enjoy myself, do the nation proud with all the girls and get memories. I remember all the memories from the last World Cup and Euros and I cherish every single one of them, I just want to keep repeating that.'
North Wales Chronicle
36 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Arsenal duo Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey up for Player of the Year award
The Gunners became champions of Europe thanks to their shock win over Barcelona last month, with Russo and Caldentey two of the stars of their 2024-25 season. Former Manchester United forward Russo scored eight times in Arsenal's European success and was joint top scorer in the Women's Super League with 12 goals. Her team-mate Caldentey managed nine goals and five assists in the WSL and added eight more in the Champions League. Erin Cuthbert is flying the flag for WSL champions Chelsea, with her contributions from midfield helping the Blues end the league season unbeaten. Manchester City duo Mary Fowler and Yui Hasegawa are also on the list, along with Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce. The American kept 13 clean sheets in United's 22 WSL matches. The winner will be announced at the PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester on August 19.
