Rodon returns to Wales squad after two-month injury layoff for Nations League double-header

Joe Rodon has been included in Wales’s 26-man squad for their upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Norway and Portugal, despite the Leeds United defender having been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury against Brentford on 30 August.

Rodon’s return is a significant boost for Wales manager Craig Bellamy, whose side travel to Norway on 14 November before hosting Portugal in Cardiff three days later. Leeds boss Daniel Farke indicated last week that the 29-year-old had returned to controlled training, though his availability for Leeds’s fixture against Tottenham remained uncertain at the time of the squad announcement.

Wales enter the double-header having endured a difficult start to their League A campaign, collecting three defeats alongside an unexpected victory over World Cup quarter-finalists Norway in the opening fixtures.

Harry Wilson and Manchester United goalkeeper Karl Darlow are also recalled after injury ruled them out of those earlier matches. Wolves midfielder Jordan James drops out of the squad after picking up an injury, with on-loan Oxford midfielder Kai Andrews stepping up from the Under-21 setup in his place.

Cardiff forward Rubin Colwill returns from his own injury layoff to replace Wes Burns, while Cardiff defender Dylan Lawlor and Wrexham forward Nathan Broadhead remain unavailable.

Bristol City goalkeeper Joe Duncan, currently on a season-long loan at National League side Southend United, takes Tom King’s place between the posts. The 20-year-old previously represented Jamaica at Under-23 level and trained with their senior Reggae Boyz squad during a London camp over the summer.

Wales squad:

Goalkeepers: Karl Darlow (Manchester United), Danny Ward (Wrexham), Joe Duncan (Southend United — on loan from Bristol City)

Defenders: Connor Roberts (Burnley), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Chris Mepham (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Rodon (Leeds United), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Jay Dasilva (Coventry City), Jayden Lienou (Leeds United)

Midfielders: Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United), Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Kai Andrews (Oxford United — on loan from Coventry City), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City), Joel Colwill (Cardiff City), Harry Wilson (Leeds United), Liam Cullen (Leicester City), David Brooks (Bournemouth)

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