Wales will be missing nine established squad members as they continue their campaign to qualify for the World Cup for the first time.
Olivia Clark, Poppy Soper, Rhiannon Roberts, Hayley Ladd, Ella Powell, Laura Hughes, Mia Ross, Ffion Morgan and Ceri Holland are all unavailable because of injuries. Holland has been one of Wales’ key players since Jess Fishlock retired.
With the exception of reserve goalkeeper Soper, each of the missing players could have featured in the two matches against Albania.
The number of unavailable players has resulted in a younger-looking Wales squad, featuring six players yet to earn a cap alongside several others with limited senior international experience.
Despite these setbacks, Wilkinson believes Wales are prepared to manage the situation because young players are regularly invited to train with the senior team.
Wilkinson admitted that losing nine players to injury was unusual and not something she could reasonably have anticipated.
She added that although she would have preferred a fully fit squad, injuries are part of football and Wales must adjust despite having a relatively small player pool.
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