Wales have been dealt a significant blow ahead of their Nations League A campaign, with manager Craig Bellamy forced to manage without three key players. Leeds attacking midfielder Harry Wilson, Wrexham forward Nathan Broadhead, and first-choice goalkeeper Karl Darlow have all withdrawn from the squad due to injury.
Wilson is sidelined by a quadriceps muscle injury that also kept him out of Leeds' Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace, while Broadhead sustained a thigh strain during Wrexham training. Darlow's withdrawal came despite his recent Manchester United debut in the EFL Cup and his appearance on the bench for the Premier League draw with Fulham on 22 September 2026.
To fill the gaps, Bellamy has called up veteran Leicester goalkeeper David Cornell, Huddersfield forward Joe Taylor—both uncapped at senior level—and Reading midfielder Charlie Savage as replacements.
Who are the new call-ups?
Cornell, 35, joined Leicester on a one-year contract on 20 September 2026 after spending the summer as a free agent following his departure from Preston North End. The former Wales Under-21 international, originally from Swansea, has accumulated more than 200 senior appearances across a career that began in Swansea City's academy and took him through numerous clubs.
Taylor, also a former Wales Under-21 player, is a 23-year-old forward from Peterborough who has netted five goals for Huddersfield this season. He impressed during a loan spell at Wigan Athletic in the second half of the previous campaign and previously played for Lincoln City and Colchester United.
Savage, son of former Wales midfielder Robbie, is a regular at Reading where he has made more than 150 appearances since joining from Manchester United in 2023. The 23-year-old earned his senior international debut in the friendly victory over Gibraltar in October 2023 and won a second cap the following year.
What other players are unavailable?
Wales were already without key defenders Joe Rodon and Dylan Lawlor before these latest withdrawals. Rodon sustained a hamstring injury during Leeds United's 1-1 draw with Brentford in August 2026, while Cardiff City duo Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies are also unavailable for the upcoming fixtures.
This represents a mounting injury crisis for Bellamy, who recently chose to remain as Wales manager after considering the Burnley position. According to reports on the updated squad announcement, the September group also featured new additions including Cardiff forward Cian Ashford receiving his first senior Wales call-up, while Harry Wilson and Jordan James returned after missing June internationals.
What is Wales' fixture schedule?
Wales face Portugal in their Nations League opener in Lisbon on 24 September 2026, followed by a trip to Copenhagen to meet Denmark on 27 September 2026. The team then hosts Norway in Cardiff on 1 October 2026 before Denmark visits the Welsh capital three days later on 4 October 2026.
According to the squad announcement, the September group included midfielder Wes Burns following his move to Leicester, alongside established goalkeepers Danny Ward and Tom King providing additional options in that position.
Key Facts
- Harry Wilson's quadriceps injury also ruled him out of Leeds' Premier League match against Crystal Palace
- David Cornell, 35, has made over 200 senior appearances and joined Leicester on 20 September 2026 after leaving Preston North End
- Joe Taylor has scored five goals for Huddersfield this season and previously impressed on loan at Wigan Athletic
- Wales face Portugal, Denmark, and Norway in their Nations League fixtures between 24 September and 4 October 2026
- The squad changes follow earlier absences of defenders Joe Rodon and Dylan Lawlor, plus Cardiff City players Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies
