Rodon absent as Ashford earns first Wales call-up

Craig Bellamy has handed a first call-up to Cardiff City forward Cian Ashford for Wales' return to the top flight of the Nations League but is without key defender Joe Rodon to take on Erling Haaland and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Wales face Portugal, Denmark and Norway in League A of the competition, but will do so without first-choice centre-back Rodon who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Defensive partner Dylan Lawlor is also missing from the 28-man squad - he is yet to appear this season because of a knee problem - as is fellow Cardiff defender Ronan Kpakio.

Leeds United's Harry Wilson and Wolves midfielder Jordan James return to the squad after missing June's friendlies with Ghana and Romania through injury, as does Swansea City defender Ben Cabango.

As well as returns for Mark Harris and Liam Cullen, there is a recall for 10-cap winger Wes Burns, now of Leicester City, who could make his first international appearance since 2024.

Wales travel to face Portugal on 24 September in the first of four fixtures in this newly extended international break, with a home match against World Cup quarter-finalists Norway sandwiched by two games with Denmark.

Captain Ben Davies retains his place having been named in the squad for the summer games without featuring.

The 33-year-old defender had not played since a serious ankle injury suffered with Tottenham in January, but has since returned to action for Spurs and is in contention for his first international appearance since October 2025 when he won his 100th cap.

Ashford, 21, gets his chance having impressed in the early stages of the Championship season, as part of attacking options that also include Liverpool's Lewis Koumas.

Fellow Cardiff forwards Isaak Davies and Rubin Colwill are unavailable for selection because of injury, while there is no place for midfielder Kai Andrews despite his impressive start at Aaron Ramsey's Oxford United on loan from Coventry City.

Wales' opponents are yet to name their squads, although Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be selected for Portugal in their first games under his former Saudi Pro League club boss, Jorge Jesus.

The games are the first since manager Bellamy was close to leaving his national post after holding talks with Championship club Burnley.

The 78-cap former striker has seen two key members of his backroom staff leave their roles in the meantime, with number two Piet Cremers taking a job in Belgium and assistant coach James Rowberry opting to focus on club duties as assistant manager at Stoke City.

They will be replaced on Bellamy's coaching staff by former captain Ashley Williams and ex-Swansea City boss Alan Sheehan in what is expected to be a challenging period for Wales.

Without a win in their past four games, these are the first competitive fixtures since a penalty shoot-out defeat by Bosnia-Herzegovina in March's play-offs cost Wales a place in the World Cup.

Wales have not beaten a side in the top 20 of the world rankings since a 2-1 win over Croatia in October 2023 - and are yet to beat a side ranked higher than themselves under Bellamy.

Now they face that challenge in quick succession, starting with prospect of current Nations League holders Portugal.

Wales - who are 38th in the world rankings, their lowest position since August 2014 - then travel to Copenhagen to take on a Denmark side ranked 21st in the world before the visit of World Cup quarter-finalists Norway to Cardiff (1 October) and the return game with Denmark (4 October).

Goalkeepers: Karl Darlow (Manchester United), Danny Ward (Wrexham), Tom King (Everton).

Defenders: Jay DaSilva (Coventry City), Jayden Lienou (Leeds United), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Rhys Norrington-Davies (Sheffield United), Chris Mepham (West Bromwich Albion), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Connor Roberts (Burnley).

Midfielders: Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United), Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Jordan James (Wolverhampton Wanderers – on loan from Stade Rennais), Liam Cullen (Leicester City), Joel Colwill (Cardiff City), Harry Wilson (Leeds United), Sorba Thomas (Hull City), David Brooks (Bournemouth), Cameron Congreve (KVC Westerlo), Wes Burns (Leicester City).

Forwards: Nathan Broadhead (Wrexham), Brennan Johnson (Everton), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham), Lewis Koumas (Liverpool), Mark Harris (Oxford United), Dan James (Leeds United), Cian Ashford (Cardiff City).