Rhian Wilkinson has spoken of her huge relief that Ceri Holland will be fully fit and available for Wales’ summer Euros campaign.
Wales manager Wilkinson described the injury update on Holland as a “massive boost” for her team ahead of their UEFA Women’s Nations League clash with Sweden on Tuesday night.
Holland, a key figure in Wilkinson’s squad, left the pitch in visible agony during Wales' 2-1 defeat to Denmark on Friday.
Initial fears suggested a serious shin injury, potentially ruling her out of the upcoming Euro 2025 campaign.
However, those concerns have eased significantly following hospital tests that showed no long-term damage.
“We had to make sure we had the full picture on Ceri,” Wilkinson said.
“A big thank you to our medical staff. Obviously all medical staff are going to react quickly, but how fast we got her in [to hospital], imaging and then started her on her recovery.
"It is obviously an injury that is going to take some coming back from, but I think equally, we all thought worst-case scenario when she was so distraught on the pitch, it was such a painful one as well.
“She’ll be out for the next little while, Liverpool will assess her, but we are all happy that it is not worse.”
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Holland’s absence will still be felt in Gothenburg, where Wales take on a Sweden side ranked sixth in the world.
But the injury not being season-ending has lifted spirits in the Welsh camp.
“We care for each other as humans,” said captain Angharad James.
“The job Ceri does on the field is significant. That’s the first thing that goes through your head when someone goes down in the pain she was in.
“It is a relief for us all that she will be on track and is recovering well.
“It’s a relief for us but now it is time for someone else to step up because like Rhian said, the whole squad is important and is valued. Whoever comes in [against Sweden] will be ready to go, that’s the beauty of this squad we’ve got.”
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Wilkinson has also stressed that the setback offers a platform for others in the squad to stake a claim ahead of Euro 2025.
“We have lost a lot of experience within the group, but equally we talk about depth and this is why we do it,” she said.
“It’s a great opportunity and I’m sure someone is going to really rise to the occasion because there is space to do that.”
Alongside Holland, Wales are also missing senior players Jess Fishlock, Sophie Ingle, and Kayleigh Barton for the match.
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Despite the depleted squad, Wilkinson remains optimistic about the team's readiness for this high-level test.
“We know Sweden is a really top nation. It was a fantastic result for us in Wrexham and now we are in their home stadium and know they are a dangerous team,” she added.
“It’s a really great experience for us to be here and we are looking forward to putting on a show.
“It’s a great test for us. We aren’t showing up here just to do our best. We are really looking forward to the game, it is an incredible challenge for us.”
Wales managed to hold Sweden to a 1-1 draw in their previous meeting earlier this year.
