Photo via BBC Sport

Rodon absent as Ashford earns first Wales call-up

Wales manager Craig Bellamy has selected Cardiff City's 21-year-old attacker Cian Ashford for his maiden senior international call-up ahead of their Nations League A campaign against Portugal, Denmark, and Norway. The 28-player group must navigate these tests without premier defender Joe Rodon, who is sidelined by a hamstring problem, while fellow Cardiff defenders Dylan Lawlor and Ronan Kpakio also miss out, with Lawlor yet to play this term due to a knee issue.

The squad nevertheless welcomes back Harry Wilson, Jordan James, Ben Cabango, Mark Harris, Liam Cullen, and 10-cap Leicester City winger Wes Burns, who could earn his first cap since 2024. Team captain Ben Davies is fit for consideration after overcoming a severe January ankle injury with Tottenham Hotspur, having last stepped onto the pitch for Wales during his 100th appearance in October 2025.

Additional attacking cover includes Liverpool youngster Lewis Koumas, though Cardiff pair Isaak Davies and Rubin Colwill are out injured, and Coventry loanee Kai Andrews was overlooked despite strong showings for Aaron Ramsey's Oxford United.

The upcoming four-match schedule begins away to Portugal on 24 September, with the hosts widely expected to include Cristiano Ronaldo under his past Saudi Pro League manager Jorge Jesus, before Wales face Erling 's Norway at home around two fixtures against the Danes. Bellamy oversees these matches after recently considering an exit to manage Burnley, and his technical team has been reshuffled following the departures of Piet Cremers to Belgium and James Rowberry to Stoke City, bringing former international skipper Ashley Williams and ex-Swansea manager Alan Sheehan into coaching roles.