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Two More Climbs For Rhian Wilkinson, Then Wales Will Head For The Summit Of European Football

Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson. Pic: Alamy

Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson. Pic: Alamy

Wales are gearing up for their biggest summer in the history of women’s football in Wales and Rhian Wilkinson has plenty to ponder, reports Ian Mitchelmore.

Rhian Wilkinson is no stranger to climbing mountains, having made the hike to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) to take promotional pictures ahead of her Euro 2025 squad announcement.

The 43-year-old will confirm her squad for the summer tournament on June 19 from 1,085m above sea level on Wales' highest peak.

But she will have to navigate two further major obstacles prior to revealing details of those who will have the honour of representing the women's side in a major tournament for the first time in Wales' history.

Wales take on Denmark in Odense on May 30, before rounding off their Nations League campaign against Italy at the Swansea.com Stadium four days later.

Wilkinson has already guided her side to two highly impressive draws with Sweden - currently ranked sixth in the world by FIFA.

She also oversaw narrow defeats - both by just a one goal margin - against the Italians and the Danes earlier this year.

No victories, but it has represented the perfect kind of preparation for a side who will lock horns with Netherlands, France and reigning champions England in the group stage of the Euros this summer.

That trio of opponents boast an average FIFA ranking of eighth, with Wales currently sitting 31st - fully emphasising the scale of the task that lies ahead of Wilkinson and her troops.

The Canada-born boss has been boosted by the return of the influential Ceri Holland for the upcoming Nations League double header.

READ MORE: Rhian Wilkinson Hails Wales’ Fighting Spirit After Hannah Cain Brilliance Denies Sweden

Liverpool's Holland, 27, left the Cardiff City Stadium pitch on a stretcher last time out after suffering what appeared to be a serious leg injury in the 2-1 defeat to Denmark.

Having initially feared she may have been unavailable for the Euros, Holland was a more than welcome inclusion in Wilkinson's 26-player squad.

The same applies to taliswoman Jess Fishlock and striker Kayleigh Barton, who both bring a serious goal threat and vital experience to the party as Wales seek a first ever victory in the Nations League top tier, while also bidding to avoid relegation back into League B.

Sophie Ingle - the captain who has not played since suffering a serious knee injury back in September - is rated “50-50” by Wilkinson to make the Euros, but has not made the current squad for the Nations League.

Ingle, who is leaving Chelsea this summer, is no longer training with her club but Wilkinson plans to offer her skipper every opportunity to make the big dates in Switzerland in July.

"I haven't seen her, so I'd have to say 50-50 [of being available for Euros] because she is ahead of schedule," said Wilkinson.

"ACLs are vastly different dependent on the athlete. I don't always think ahead of schedule is great if you skip steps. I trust Chelsea has done everything properly but 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."

READ MORE: Ceri Holland Fitness Boost For Wales Is Huge Relief, Says Rhian Wilkinson

Goalkeeper Laura O’Sullivan-Jones also misses out currently due to another ACL injury, but Mared Griffiths and Soffia Kelly have been selected having missed matches in April due to their involvement with the Wales U19s in their Round 2 League A Euro qualifiers.

The likes of Holland, Fishlock and Barton can undoubtedly breathe slightly easier knowing that their plane tickets are - barring injury - already guaranteed.

But for many others, the upcoming camp offers the final chance to impress in competitive fixtures ahead of the selection process for the Euros.

"We have this camp and then we have small training camps, our preparation and then we're into the Euros," Wilkinson said at her squad announcement press conference.

"We've got to be looking ahead while keeping the players firmly focused on the two games coming up.

"There's a bit of a different intensity, that'll be a reality from this camp, no matter how much I try and take the air out of that moment.

"They know that some of them are potentially going to have dreams come true if they make the squad, whereas others who have given so much to this qualification journey might not be with us at the end so it's going to be a tough camp for that."

READ MORE: Rhian Wilkinson Fears For Wales’ Ceri Holland Ahead Of Euros Finals

It's highly likely Wilkinson will already know around 80% to 90% of the names that will make up the bulk of her squad for the tournament in Switzerland - but for the small remainder, a pair of tough tests against Denmark and Italy will provide the perfect platform to trigger a late sway of opinion from the manager who has the fate of the players firmly in her hands.

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