Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson has rated former captain Sophie Ingle “50-50” to play at Euro 2025 and praised Chelsea for their role in her recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
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. 🥺💙 pic.twitter.com/8LST1GXXub
— (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.”
