Cian Ashford earns first Wales call-up as Joe Rodon ruled out of Nations League campaign

Cian Ashford has been named in Craig Bellamy’s 28-man Wales squad for the start of their League A Nations League programme, while centre-back Joe Rodon is absent with a hamstring injury ahead of fixtures beginning on 24 September.

Rodon sustained the problem in Leeds' third game of the season and has been ruled out of Wales' return to the top flight of the Nations League; Dylan Lawlor is also missing from the 28-man squad after yet to appear this season because of a knee problem, and fellow Cardiff defender Ronan Kpakio is unavailable. Ashford, 21, has featured in all nine Cardiff City matches this season, scoring twice, and has been handed his first senior call-up by Bellamy amid his early Championship form.

There are several returns and recalls in Bellamy’s selection: Leeds United’s Harry Wilson and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Jordan James come back having missed June’s friendlies with Ghana and Romania through injury, Swansea City defender Ben Cabango is included, and there are returns for Mark Harris and Liam Cullen. Leicester City winger Wes Burns is recalled after 10 caps and could make his first international appearance since 2024.

Captain Ben Davies keeps his place after being named for the summer games without featuring; the 33-year-old had not played since a serious ankle injury suffered with Tottenham in January but has returned to action for Spurs and is in contention for his first international appearance since October 2025 when he won his 100th cap. Cardiff forwards Isaak Davies and Rubin Colwill are unavailable because of injury, and midfielder Kai Andrews is not selected despite his impressive start at Aaron Ramsey's Oxford United on loan from Coventry City.

Wales’ full 28-man squad is: 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).

Wales’ opponents have yet to name their squads, although Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be selected for Portugal in their first games under Jorge Jesus. Bellamy’s position has been turbulent recently: he was close to leaving after holding talks with Burnley, and two key members of his backroom staff have departed — 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 — with former captain Ashley Williams and ex-Swansea City boss Alan Sheehan joining the coaching staff.

Wales enter competitive action without a win in their past four matches and their first fixtures are the first since March’s play-off penalty shoot-out defeat by Bosnia-Herzegovina cost them a place at the World Cup. The squad face a run of higher-ranked opposition: Wales are 38th in the world rankings, their lowest position since August 2014, and will travel to Copenhagen to meet Denmark, ranked 21st, before the visit of World Cup quarter-finalists Norway to Cardiff on 1 October and the return match with Denmark on 4 October.

Wales begin the four-match international window by travelling to face Portugal on 24 September, the first of the fixtures in the newly extended international break; venues for the scheduled matches include Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon and Cardiff City Stadium for home fixtures.