Wales suffer Holland blow for World Cup qualifiers
Wales have suffered a significant blow heading into this month's World Cup qualifying double-header against Albania after Ceri Holland was ruled out of both games through injury. The Football Association of Wales says Holland, one of Rhian Wilkinson's key players, has withdrawn from the squad with an unspecified problem, as has Newcastle United defender Lois Joel. The versatile Holland, 28, was not involved in Liverpool's Women's FA Cup quarter-final win over Charlton on Sunday.
Following the withdrawals, Wales boss Wilkinson has added forward Olivia Francis to her squad. Wales face Albania at Wrexham's Stok 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). Wales boss Wilkinson condemns 'imbecile behaviour' Lucy Farrell-Shrouder (Stoke City - on loan from Burnley), Safia Middleton-Patel (Manchester United), Poppy Soper (Rugby Borough), Mayzee Davies (Manchester City), Charlie Estcourt (Portsmouth), Gemma Evans (Liverpool), Rhiannon Roberts (Sunderland), Esther Morgan (Bristol City), Lily Woodham (Liverpool), Hayley Ladd (Crystal Palace), Sophie Ingle (Bristol City), Angharad James (Seattle Reign), Carrie Jones (IFK Norrköping), Ella Powell (Bristol City), Mia Ross (Charlton Athletic), Rachel Rowe (Nottingham Forest), Tianna Teisar (Plymouth Argyle - on loan from Bristol City), Annie Wilding (Portsmouth), Ffion Morgan (West Ham United), Phoebie Poole (Plymouth Argyle), Mared Griffiths (Sunderland - on loan from Manchester United), Hannah Cain (Leicester City), Elise Hughes (Crystal Palace), Olivia Francis (Plymouth Argyle).