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Uefa Women's Nations League: Sweden v Wales
Venue: Gamla Ullevi, Gothenburg Date: Tuesday, 8 April Kick-off: 18:00 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC Two Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary
Highlights: S4C and iPlayer, 22:00 BST and later on demand.
Rhian Wilkinson says Wales' players have a "great opportunity" to stake a claim for a Euro 2025 spot as they prepare to face Sweden without a number of key personnel.
Wales' Nations League campaign continues on Tuesday as they face Sweden – ranked sixth in the world – at Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg.
In what would be a daunting trip at the best of times to face a powerhouse of women's football, Wilkinson will be without two cap centurions in Jess Fishlock and Sophie Ingle, while vice-captain Ceri Holland is also out after suffering a shin injury in Friday's 2-1 defeat to Denmark in Cardiff.
Wales are also missing veteran striker Kayleigh Barton as they continue their preparation for Euro 2025, Wales women's first major tournament.
"We have lost a lot of experience within the group, but equally we talk about depth and this is why we do it," Wilkinson told BBC Sport Wales.
"It's a great opportunity and I'm sure someone is going to really rise to the occasion because there is space to do that."
Wales boss Wilkinson will be feeling relieved about the bigger picture regarding injuries, especially the news that Liverpool midfielder Holland's injury is not as bad as first feared.
Holland looked distraught as she came off on a stretcher with her leg in a protective boot, with Wales' medical staff fearing a potential fracture.
However, Holland has escaped serious injury and Wilkinson says she "absolutely" expects her to be fit for the European Championship at the start of July.
"We had to make sure we had the full picture on Ceri," Wilkinson explained.
"A big thank you to our medical staff, obviously all medical staff are going to react quickly, but how fast we got her in [to hospital], imaging and then started her on her recovery.
"It is obviously an injury that is going to take some coming back from, but I think equally, we all thought worst-case scenario when she was so distraught on the pitch, it was such a painful one as well.
"She'll be out for the next little while, Liverpool will assess her, but we are all happy that it is not worse."
Captain Angharad James says the positive news about Holland provided Wales' players with a huge boost.
"We care for each other as humans," she said. "The job Ceri does on the field is significant. That's the first thing that goes through your head when someone goes down in the pain she was in.
"It is a relief for us all that she will be on track and is recovering well.
"It's a relief for us but now it is time for someone else to step up because like Rhian said, the whole squad is important and is valued. Whoever comes in [against Sweden] will be ready to go, that's the beauty of this squad we've got."
Wales captain James feels several players will be ready to seize their opportunity ahead of a daunting test against Sweden.
The Swedes were held to a 1-1 draw by Wales in Wrexham in February and are favourites to win the Nations League group, but James says there is "no panic about the injuries" within Wilkinson's squad.
"Over the past few years we have grown as a group and we now have a squad that is ready to compete," James added.
"Regardless of the number of injuries, we have players here ready who are just as good and understand the game-plan and are ready to step up.
"I am excited to see that... we will give it our best shot."
Wales have taken one point in three Nations League group games so far [FAW]
The home draw with Sweden ranks as one of Wales' best ever results and Wilkinson says she is excited to test her squad against a nation who regularly compete for major honours in the women's game.
"We know Sweden is a really top nation. It was a fantastic result for us in Wrexham and now we are in their home stadium and know they are a dangerous team," she said.
"It's a really great experience for us to be here and we are looking forward to putting on a show.
"It's a great test for us. We aren't showing up here just to do our best. We are really looking forward to the game, it is an incredible challenge for us."
Continue reading...
Venue: Gamla Ullevi, Gothenburg Date: Tuesday, 8 April Kick-off: 18:00 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC Two Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary
Highlights: S4C and iPlayer, 22:00 BST and later on demand.
Rhian Wilkinson says Wales' players have a "great opportunity" to stake a claim for a Euro 2025 spot as they prepare to face Sweden without a number of key personnel.
Wales' Nations League campaign continues on Tuesday as they face Sweden – ranked sixth in the world – at Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg.
In what would be a daunting trip at the best of times to face a powerhouse of women's football, Wilkinson will be without two cap centurions in Jess Fishlock and Sophie Ingle, while vice-captain Ceri Holland is also out after suffering a shin injury in Friday's 2-1 defeat to Denmark in Cardiff.
Wales are also missing veteran striker Kayleigh Barton as they continue their preparation for Euro 2025, Wales women's first major tournament.
"We have lost a lot of experience within the group, but equally we talk about depth and this is why we do it," Wilkinson told BBC Sport Wales.
"It's a great opportunity and I'm sure someone is going to really rise to the occasion because there is space to do that."
Holland boost before Euros
Wales boss Wilkinson will be feeling relieved about the bigger picture regarding injuries, especially the news that Liverpool midfielder Holland's injury is not as bad as first feared.
Holland looked distraught as she came off on a stretcher with her leg in a protective boot, with Wales' medical staff fearing a potential fracture.
However, Holland has escaped serious injury and Wilkinson says she "absolutely" expects her to be fit for the European Championship at the start of July.
"We had to make sure we had the full picture on Ceri," Wilkinson explained.
"A big thank you to our medical staff, obviously all medical staff are going to react quickly, but how fast we got her in [to hospital], imaging and then started her on her recovery.
"It is obviously an injury that is going to take some coming back from, but I think equally, we all thought worst-case scenario when she was so distraught on the pitch, it was such a painful one as well.
"She'll be out for the next little while, Liverpool will assess her, but we are all happy that it is not worse."
Captain Angharad James says the positive news about Holland provided Wales' players with a huge boost.
"We care for each other as humans," she said. "The job Ceri does on the field is significant. That's the first thing that goes through your head when someone goes down in the pain she was in.
"It is a relief for us all that she will be on track and is recovering well.
"It's a relief for us but now it is time for someone else to step up because like Rhian said, the whole squad is important and is valued. Whoever comes in [against Sweden] will be ready to go, that's the beauty of this squad we've got."
No panic from Wales at absentees - James
Wales captain James feels several players will be ready to seize their opportunity ahead of a daunting test against Sweden.
The Swedes were held to a 1-1 draw by Wales in Wrexham in February and are favourites to win the Nations League group, but James says there is "no panic about the injuries" within Wilkinson's squad.
"Over the past few years we have grown as a group and we now have a squad that is ready to compete," James added.
"Regardless of the number of injuries, we have players here ready who are just as good and understand the game-plan and are ready to step up.
"I am excited to see that... we will give it our best shot."
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Wales have taken one point in three Nations League group games so far [FAW]
'A really great experience'
The home draw with Sweden ranks as one of Wales' best ever results and Wilkinson says she is excited to test her squad against a nation who regularly compete for major honours in the women's game.
"We know Sweden is a really top nation. It was a fantastic result for us in Wrexham and now we are in their home stadium and know they are a dangerous team," she said.
"It's a really great experience for us to be here and we are looking forward to putting on a show.
"It's a great test for us. We aren't showing up here just to do our best. We are really looking forward to the game, it is an incredible challenge for us."
You must be registered for see images
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