Ingle Back to Best After Injury Setback
Midfielder Sophie Ingle made her senior Wales debut against Azerbaijan in October 2009.
Sophie Ingle has expressed that she feels back to her best after enjoying a consistent run of appearances for both Wales and Bristol City following her full recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
The midfielder missed the entire 2024-25 season but made her long-awaited return as a substitute in Wales' Euro 2025 defeat to France on 13 July.
Since then, she has featured 25 times across all competitions for Bristol City this season and is now focused on helping Wales qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
"I think throughout my whole rehab, it was just focusing on getting back for the Euros and that was the main aim," Ingle told Wales.
"I was lucky enough to do that, and then joining Bristol City, I think it was just about getting game time.
"I've played near enough every game this season."
Asked if she is back to her peak levels following a prolonged spell on the sidelines, Ingle said: "Yeah probably, I feel good, I feel fit.
"Obviously it's coming towards the end of the season so you start to feel that your body's a bit tired and you need to recover a bit better. But throughout the season I've felt really good."
Wales' Recent Form and Ingle's Impact
Despite Wales suffering seven consecutive defeats during a challenging 2025, Rhian Wilkinson's team has remained unbeaten in their last four matches.
Ingle has played a central role in this turnaround, scoring three goals in her last four appearances for Wales.
"It doesn't happen often. I don't really know what to say about it," Ingle reflected on her recent goal-scoring form.
"Since coming back from my knee injury, it's something that I looked at when I was injured.
"I don't really score that many goals but I think it helps when I'm up for corners now and in and around the box."
Career Highlights and Milestones
Ingle spent eight seasons with Chelsea across two spells during her career.
Wales currently lead their World Cup qualifying group after a commanding 6-1 victory over Montenegro in Llanelli last month, which followed a 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic four days earlier.
Ingle is poised to reach 150 caps for Wales this month if she features in both upcoming fixtures against Albania, scheduled to take place in Wrexham and Elbasan.
"It's quite scary really to think that I've been here that long and played that many games," she said.
"Being on 148 [caps] now is such a great achievement and one in the moment you don't really look at.
"But every single game, I've loved putting on the Welsh shirt and if I reach 150 it'll be another big achievement."
Reflection During Injury Layoff
The extended period out of action allowed Ingle to reflect on her successful career to date.
"I think when you're out injured, you get to reminisce about the things that have gone on in the past for both club and country and trophies that I've won," she added.
"In the moment you have to move on to the next game. It's always the next game, the next game. You don't really celebrate it in the moment.
"So being out for nine months, you get to look back on highlights and some really good things that you did within the team."
Upcoming World Cup Qualifiers: Only Two Wins Will Do
Wales face Albania twice this month, hosting them at Wrexham's Stok Cae Ras on Tuesday (19:15 BST) and then playing away at the Elbasan Arena four days later (17:00 BST).
While some may consider extending their unbeaten run as acceptable, the players are focused solely on securing six points from these matches.
"Rhian [Wilkinson] said it on day one of camp that we are going for two wins. I think we're all aligned with that," Ella Powell told Wales.
"We started the campaign relatively well. We're at the top of the group, and that's exactly where we want to stay.
"In order to do that, we need to win our games.
"We're not hiding away from that. That is our goal."
Ingle's verdict was equally clear: "Two wins," she said emphatically.
