Wales Faces Triple Setback Ahead of Nations League Kick-off
Craig Bellamy’s first Nations League A campaign has been hit hard before a ball is even kicked.
Wales will be without Harry Wilson, Nathan Broadhead and Karl Darlow after all three pulled out of the squad ahead of a daunting run of fixtures against Portugal, Denmark and Norway.
Wilson, the creative heartbeat of this Wales side and their most influential player in recent years, had been a major doubt with a quad problem. The Leeds attacking midfielder has now been ruled out, stripping Bellamy of his primary playmaker just days before Thursday’s opener in Lisbon.
Broadhead’s absence had been looming too. The Wrexham forward has failed to recover from a thigh issue and will miss the start of the campaign, removing another attacking option from a squad already short on top-level experience.
The third blow comes in goal. First-choice keeper Darlow has also withdrawn, despite a significant week in his club career. The Manchester United stopper made his debut for the club in the EFL Cup last week and was on the bench for their Premier League draw with Fulham on Sunday, but will not join up with Wales.
Bellamy has turned to experience and fresh blood to patch the gaps.
- Veteran Leicester City goalkeeper David Cornell has been called up and is in line for a first cap.
- Huddersfield Town forward Joe Taylor also steps in, another uncapped player handed a chance on the big stage.
- Reading midfielder Charlie Savage completes the trio of replacements, adding energy and versatility in the middle of the park.
The schedule offers no easing-in period.
Wales open their Nations League A campaign against Portugal in Lisbon on Thursday, a trip that would test them even at full strength. They then head to Copenhagen to face Denmark next Sunday, another heavyweight assignment away from home.
After that, the competition comes to Cardiff. Norway visit on Thursday, 1 October, before Denmark make the return trip to the Welsh capital three days later.
Injuries have reshaped Bellamy’s plans before he has had the chance to fully impose them. Now the question is simple: can a reshuffled, less experienced Wales side stand up to Europe’s elite over a brutal fortnight?
