Having been released by Chelsea, and with her place in the Wales squad for Euro 2025 still uncertain, the upcoming summer will be pivotal for Sophie Ingle.
The 33-year-old is continuing her recovery from the ACL injury that has seen her sidelined since early September.
Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson rated the central midfielder's chances of making this summer's tournament in Switzerland at "50:50".
And while understandably eager to have the 141-cap player in her ranks at the Euros, Wilkinson is in no rush to hurry Ingle back into action ahead of schedule.
“ACLs are vastly different and dependent on the athlete and I don’t always think ahead of schedule is great if you skip steps, but I trust Chelsea have done everything properly," she said last week.
“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.
"She’s had fantastic reports from Chelsea in terms of how she’s training. The problem is that Chelsea are not training anymore, so it’s really important to get her back with us.”
Ingle has the added distraction of having to consider her club future at present after the recently-crowned Women's Super League champions confirmed the midfielder would depart the club when her contract expires in the summer.
She won 11 trophies during a glittering career with the Blues - during which she made 214 appearances and scored 12 goals.
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Paul Green - head of women’s football at Sonia Bompastor's side - recently summed up exactly why Wilkinson could be forgiven for doing everything in her power to make sure Ingle is on the plane to Switzerland in just over a month.
"She’s (Ingle) been instrumental in driving standards on and off the pitch, has been a leader in the dressing room, and has grown immensely as a person across her two spells at the club," said Green.
From the moment she was named as Gemma Grainger's successor in February 2024, Wilkinson has been fully aware of the need to evolve the squad.
She has been without Ingle for more than half of her tenure as boss to date, while other key players including Jess Fishlock, Kayleigh Barton, Ceri Holland and Hannah Cain have had stints on the sidelines.
It has ensured Wilkinson has had to hand previous fringe players and younger members of the squad more prominent roles as she looks to build a squad rather than just a team to challenge the game's elite.
Playing such stellar opposition on a regular basis will also undoubtedly help to raise the levels - with each of Wales' first 11 matches of 2025, including the four they have already played, being against sides ranked higher than them by FIFA.
READ MORE: Two More Climbs For Rhian Wilkinson, Then Wales Will Head For The Summit Of European Football
The tough challenges continue to come thick and fast as Wales take on Denmark in Odense on Friday night before hosting Italy in their final Nations League fixture at the Swansea.com Stadium four days later.
They are yet to win in group A4, although they have picked up two highly creditable draws against Sweden, while their two defeats, against Denmark and Italy, were both by just one goal.
The performances, and even results, undeniably represent progress.
On that remarkable night in Dublin in early December, few could have contemplated a major tournament appearance without Ingle.
The Red Wall will have everything crossed that the Llandough-born star will be among those who tackle the Netherlands, France and England during the group stage in July.
But Wilkinson's Wales have already shown they are more than capable of adapting and, when necessary, moving on.
If Wales have to overcome the absence of those who have played such significant roles in elevating the game to lofty heights, then so be it.
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