Davies back in Wales squad but Clark misses outImage source, FAWImage caption, Mayzee Davies played for Manchester City’s under-21 side against Brighton this week ByGareth VincentBBC Sport WalesPublished2 hours agoManchester City teenager Mayzee Davies is back in the Wales squad for this month’s World Cup qualifying double-header against Albania, but there is no place for injured goalkeeper Olivia Clark.Defender Davies has not appeared for her country since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while on Wales duty 11 months ago.The 19-year-old has been recalled after returning to action for Manchester City’s under-21 side this week, though Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson says she is unlikely to play in this camp as a result of her long lay-off.”We don’t want to put that pressure on at this point but to have her back with the squad I think is really important,” Wikinson mentioned. Wales will have to cope without Leicester City’s Clark, who has not played since picking up a lower leg injury while training with her country last month.In the absence of 35-cap Clark, Wilkinson has handed a first senior call-up to Llantrisant-born Lucy Farrell-Shrouder, 22, who is on loan at Stoke City from Burnley.Wales face Albania at Wrexham’s Stoke Cae Ras on Tuesday, 14 April (19:15 BST) before travelling for the return fixture at the Elbasan Arena in Elbasan four days later (17:00 BST).Clark absence means opportunity knocks for Middleton-PatelImage source, FAWImage caption, Rhian Wilkinson has rotated her goalkeepers, but Safia Middleton-Patel looks likely to start both Albania games with Olivia Clark outWilkinson says Clark’s injury is not serious, though it does leave Manchester United’s Safia Middleton-Patel as the only goalkeeper in this Wales squad who has played a senior international.Wilkinson has regularly rotated her two senior keepers, but says eight-cap Middleton-Patel will feature in both Albania games.”She will come in as our number one and that’s an opportunity for her,” Wilkinson mentioned. “Liv’s not here and that does not mean she’s out sight out of mind. She is absolutely still in there in the running [to be first-choice keeper], but I am looking forward to seeing what Saf can do for us.Farrell-Shrouder, Poppy Soper, Annie Wilding and Phoebie Poole are the four uncapped players in the squad, while Gwen Zimmerman, Olivia Francis and Mary McAteer are not included having been involved in the previous camp.Wilkinson’s side began their bid to secure a place at the 2027 World Cup with an away draw against the Czech Republic – who are expected to be their main rivals to top Group B1 – and a comprehensive home victory over Montenegro.With no automatic route to the tournament available to League B sides, Wales hope to finish first in the group because that would secure a more favourable play-off route to the tournament, which is being staged in Brazil.Griffiths shines as Wales get a glimpse of future
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Published8 March
