Teenager Davies back for Wales as Clark misses out

Wales’ head coach Rhian Wilkinson has called up 19-year-old defender Mayzee Davies for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania, despite the absence of injured goalkeeper Olivia Clark. Davies, who had been sidelined for 11 months following an ACL injury sustained during a previous international assignment, made her comeback with Manchester City’s U21 team this week. Her return has prompted Wilkinson to include her in the squad for the double-header, which begins on 14 April.

The match schedule includes a home game at Wrexham’s Stoke Cae Ras on Tuesday, followed by a trip to Elbasan four days later. With Clark unable to participate due to a recent injury during training, Wilkinson has opted to debut Lucy Farrell-Shrouder, a 22-year-old on loan at Stoke City from Burnley. Farrell-Shrouder joins four other uncapped players in the squad, while established names like Gwen Zimmerman and Mary McAteer were left out after being part of the last training session.

Wilkinson’s decision reflects a strategic rotation of goalkeepers, with Safia Middleton-Patel, the only senior international keeper in the group, set to play in both matches. Clark’s exclusion adds pressure to Middleton-Patel, who must now carry the burden of securing crucial points for Wales. The team’s campaign, aimed at earning a spot in the 2027 World Cup, began with a strong showing against the Czech Republic and a decisive home win over Montenegro.

“Davies had been on course to feature at Euro 2025 until she suffered the ACL injury during Wales’ Nations League defeat in Denmark last May,”

Davies, who was born in Bodelwyddan, had been a promising prospect in international football, earning her sixth cap in a match against Denmark. Her return to form with Manchester City, where she joined at age 10 and re-signed in 2024 after a short stint at Manchester United, has reignited hopes of her long-term contribution to the national team. Wilkinson previously praised her potential, suggesting she could surpass 100 caps in the future.

The upcoming fixtures against Albania offer Wales a chance to strengthen their position in Group B1, where they face stiff competition from the Czech Republic. A top finish in the group would grant them a more favorable path to the 2027 World Cup, which will be held in Brazil. Davies’ inclusion signals a step forward in this goal, as the squad looks to build on recent successes while navigating challenges in the final stretch of qualification.