Wales lose Wilson, Broadhead and Darlow ahead of Nations League A campaign
September 21, 2026 13:50
Wales have been hit by three late withdrawals from Craig Bellamy's squad ahead of their Nations League A campaign: Harry Wilson, Nathan Broadhead and Karl Darlow have all pulled out.
Wilson, the Leeds attacking midfielder described in the squad announcement as Wales' most influential player in recent times, had been a doubt with a quad problem. Broadhead, the Wrexham forward, was expected to miss out because of a thigh issue. Goalkeeper Karl Darlow has also withdrawn despite making his Manchester United debut in the EFL Cup last week and being on the bench for United's Premier League draw with Fulham.
REPLACEMENTS AND PLAYER DETAILS
Wales have called up three players as replacements: Leicester City goalkeeper David Cornell and Huddersfield Town forward Joe Taylor — both uncapped at senior level — plus Reading midfielder Charlie Savage.
Cornell, 35, joined Leicester on a one-year deal last Friday after leaving Preston North End in the summer. The former Wales under-21 international has made more than 200 senior club appearances and came through Swansea City's academy.
Taylor, 23 and Peterborough-born, has scored five goals for Huddersfield so far this season. He impressed on loan at Wigan Athletic in the second half of last campaign and previously had notable spells with Lincoln City and Colchester United.
Savage, the son of former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage, is a regular at Reading and, according to the squad announcement, has made more than 150 appearances for the club since joining from Manchester United in 2023. The 23-year-old made his senior international debut in the friendly win over Gibraltar in October 2023 and won a second cap the following year.
SQUAD AVAILABILITY AND FIXTURES
Wales were already without defenders Joe Rodon and Dylan Lawlor, while Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies are also unavailable.
Bellamy's side open their Nations League campaign against Portugal in Lisbon on Thursday, then face Denmark in Copenhagen next Sunday. They return home to play Norway in Cardiff on Thursday, 1 October, with Denmark visiting Cardiff three days later.