Wales lose Harry Wilson, Nathan Broadhead and Karl Darlow before Nations League opener
Triple setback for Bellamy before Portugal test
Wales will begin their Nations League A campaign without Harry Wilson, Nathan Broadhead and Karl Darlow after the trio withdrew from Craig Bellamy’s squad.
Harry Wilson had been a doubt because of a quad problem, while Nathan Broadhead was expected to miss the international window with a thigh injury. Goalkeeper Karl Darlow has also pulled out despite recently making his Manchester United debut in the EFL Cup and being named on the bench for the club’s Premier League draw with Fulham.
The absences add to an already difficult selection picture for Bellamy. Wales are also without key defenders Joe Rodon and Dylan Lawlor, while Cardiff City pair Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies are unavailable.
Three replacements added
Leicester City goalkeeper David Cornell, Huddersfield Town forward Joe Taylor and Reading midfielder Charlie Savage have been called up. All three have previous Wales Under-21 experience, although Cornell and Taylor remain uncapped at senior level.
Cornell, 35, joined Leicester City on a one-year contract after leaving Preston North End. The Swansea-born goalkeeper has made more than 200 senior club appearances during a career that began in Swansea City’s academy.
Taylor has scored five goals for Huddersfield Town this season after impressing during a loan spell at Wigan Athletic in the second half of the previous campaign. Charlie Savage, the son of former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage, is a regular for Reading and has made more than 150 appearances for the club since joining from Manchester United in 2023. He made his Wales senior debut against Gibraltar in October 2023 and has since won a second cap.
Portugal provide immediate challenge
Wales face Portugal in Lisbon on Thursday in their Nations League opener, before travelling to Copenhagen to meet Denmark the following Sunday. Norway then visit Cardiff, with Denmark returning to the Welsh capital three days later.
The step up to League A presents a demanding start for Bellamy’s side, who will now have to cope without one of their most influential recent performers in Wilson, along with Broadhead and first-choice goalkeeper Darlow.