Record-breaking Wales captain Sophie Ingle 'a special player' - Grainger

Sophie Ingle has won 120 caps for Wales and made 184 appearances in the Women's Super League

Wales boss Gemma Grainger says humility is the secret to Chelsea star Sophie Ingle's record for the most Women's Super League (WSL) appearances.

Ingle will captain Wales in their final Nations League games against Iceland and Germany in December as Wales bid to avoid relegation from League A.

Defender Esther Morgan is injured, with Megan Wynne called up in her stead.

"I don't think she recognises (her quality), but that's the beauty of her as a player," said Grainger.

Ingle, who can play in defence or as a holding midfielder, has just set a new WSL appearance record with her 184th top-flight outing.

"I've had conversations with her in the past where she says 'I just play football, that's what I do' - and that's the reason why she is how she is," Grainger said.

"For her to produce the consistency and performances she does at the level she does, and take it in her stride, makes her a very special player, because she sees it as the ordinary when it's everything apart from ordinary."

• Ingle sets new Women's Super League appearances record

Ingle, who has also made top-flight appearances with Bristol Academy and Liverpool, has won the WSL title four times during her milestone career.

And although the Wales manager admits she does not gain the same profile or headlines as some of her Chelsea team-mates such as Sam Kerr and Lauren James, Grainger said she spelt out the size of achievement to Ingle after her landmark weekend.

"I told her to achieve what she has achieved at a club like Chelsea for as long as she has is a real sign of the quality of player she is," she said.

"Chelsea without doubt have the best players - and if they haven't they will go out and get them.

"And Sophie is a consistent for [Chelsea boss] Emma Hayes and that's the biggest credit you can give her. To break that record at that club is just a magnificent achievement.

"She is understated and maybe doesn't get the headlines because of the players in that team, but I think every player in the WSL knows how good Sophie is. I think that every club manager would want her in their team.

"Sophie is very humble with the way she goes about everything but I think everyone in the game recognises what she's achieved and it's a huge honour to have her in this team and representing the nation."

Grainger will hope 120-cap Ingle can lead by example when Wales face Iceland on Friday, 1 December in Cardiff, followed by Germany in Swansea four days later in the final two games of their maiden Nations League campaign.

Yet to win, Wales need a victory over Iceland to give them a realistic chance of finishing third and a play-off to remain in the top tier, as well as boosting their Euro 2025 qualifying hopes.

Squad news

Other than the late injury withdrawal of Hearts defender Morgan, Grainger has no fresh concerns.

Rangers' Rachel Rowe returns to the squad after withdrawing in the build-up to last month's defeats in Germany and Denmark.

Leicester's Hannah Cain and Liverpool's Ceri Holland are also available after picking up injuries in the Germany game.

Southampton's Wynne is a late call-up for Morgan, while uncapped midfielders Ellen Jones of Sunderland and Morgan Rogers of Billericay are also selected.

"We're feeling very excited about the camp," Grainger added. "We want to go into final camp of the year in a strong position for performances.

"The Iceland game is a bit like a play-off game and we want to experience these sort of games, we're very clear what we need to do, it means us going out and putting in a performance.

"We were disappointed not to score against them last time, they're a good team and well organised but we will have a plan to make sure we have opportunities.

"The pressure is something we want. The play-off game environment is what we want to qualify for major championships."

Ceri Holland and Hannah Cain (right) were both injured in the 5-1 defeat against Germany last month

Wrexham's boost for women

While rivals Iceland travel to group leaders Denmark in the final fixture, Wales will host Germany at the Swansea.Com Stadium.

The ground hosted Swansea's Welsh women's top-flight fixture with Wrexham last weekend, a 3,859 crowd breaking the club's record attendance for the women's side.

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Grainger said it shows the progress of the Adran Premier in recent years, but also hailed the influence of Wrexham's profile.

Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have invested into the women's set-up at Wrexham, regularly featuring the newly-promoted - and now semi-professional - side in their documentary Welcome to Wrexham.

Grainger said: "The profile it's giving is the profile women's football needs. For Wrexham having that profile increases the visibility. It's such a positive part of our game and it's something that will continue.

"I was at a grassroots club in Mumbles, Swansea and look at the impact, there were over 300 young girls playing football, talking to me about the national side, about the Adran Premier because they'd been to the Swansea game, talking about players."

Citing the recent record broadcast deal for the NWSL deal in the United States, Grainger added: "The game is moving at such a pace and the profile Wrexham has will undoubtedly shine a light on the domestic game.

"The potential is limitless. I couldn't have predicted what's happened in 10 years and that makes me smile, it excites me."

Wales squad: Olivia Clark, Safia Middleton-Patel, Laura O'Sullivan, Hayley Ladd, Josie Green, Gemma Evans, Alice Griffiths, Morgan Rogers, Rhiannon Roberts, Charlie Estcourt, Lily Woodham, Megan Wynne, Ella Powell, Anna Filbey, Sophie Ingle (Capt), Angharad James, Jess Fishlock, Ceri Holland, Ffion Morgan, Rachel Rowe, Carrie Jones, Kayleigh Green, Elsie Hughes, Mary McAteer, Hannah Cain, Ellen Jones.

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