Ingle training return boosts Wales before Euros

Midfielder Sophie Ingle has taken a significant step towards winning her Euro 2025 fitness race after returning to Wales training following a serious knee injury.

But head coach Rhian Wilkinson says she will not push or rush the 33-year-old, who is aiming to recover in time to play a part in Wales' debut at a women's major finals.

Ingle has not featured this season after injuring her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during Chelsea's pre-season win over Feyenoord last September.

Wales begin their campaign on 5 July against the Netherlands in Lucerne, before moving to St Gallen for their last two group games against France on 9 July and then England on 13 July.

Wilkinson was also non-committal on the fitness of teenage Manchester City defender Mayzee Davies, who suffered a knee injury in the opening minutes of Friday's Nations League defeat in Denmark.

Scan results are not expected until after Tuesday's game with Italy in Swansea, with Wilkinson saying: "Whenever you see a player go down like that you're concerned and our fingers are crossed for quick healing - but equally this is a young player and we'll do everything we can to make sure she's looked after."

Wilkinson said assessment of Rhiannon Roberts is also "ongoing", with the 79-cap defender suffering a fitness issue on the eve of the 1-0 loss in Odense that confirmed the side's relegation from the top tier of the Nations League.

But the Wales boss said neither were being ruled out at this stage, with the squad for the Euros being named on 19 June.

However, Wilkinson did say Ingle is "on track" to be part of that selection after the "milestone" of training with team-mates in a session before the game with Italy.

"It was great to see her back," said Wilkinson of the 141-cap former captain, who is also continuing rehabilitation at Chelsea despite announcing her departure from the Women's Super League (WSL) champions following the end of the season.

"Any injury is a lonely place to be... and one of the big gains is not just being back on the field with the ball, but being back with team-mates.

"She's done it with her club and now she's done it with her international team-mates.

"That milestone is such a boost and you could see it in her, it was a big moment."

But with Wales' match with Italy their final fixture before they open their Euro 2025 campaign against Switzerland - and Ingle having not played a competitive match for so long - Wilkinson said she would remain cautious.

"She's in a great space and she doesn't feel like she's overextending herself, because when players in stressful situations try to rush back from major injuries that's when you can see reoccurrence," Wilkinson said.

Wilkinson added that Ingle will be part of a training camp in Portugal in the tournament build-up,

"That's why we want to do it properly. It's very obvious we want her with us in Switzerland, everything is tracking that way, but she will not be rushed or pushed," said Wilkinson.

"The most important thing is being able to play, not 90 minutes, but can she contribute?

"She's aware there will be conversations coming up to the tournament and she's doing everything she needs to, to be coming to Switzerland with us."

Fellow defender Lois Joel added: "Sophie's such a core part of our group, so well respected, so it's great to have her back in whatever capacity.

"It was great to see her smiling and kicking a ball – and she barely looks rusty."