Wales' bid to convince Tottenham defender Ashley Phillips to switch international allegiance has failed for now after he was left out of their squad on Tuesday.
Phillips, who has previously represented England at youth level, will not feature in the upcoming World Cup play-offs.
Born in Salford with a mother hailing from Swansea, Phillips was capped by Wales at under-16 level in 2021. However, he subsequently made over 30 appearances for various England youth teams.
Despite an approach from Wales to rejoin the Dragons' set-up, his name was notably absent from Craig Bellamy's 26-strong squad for next week’s play-off semi-final.
The 20-year-old, currently on loan at Stoke where he has amassed over 70 appearances across two spells for the Sky Bet Championship club, will miss the crucial match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff on March 26.
The victors of that tie will then face Italy or Northern Ireland at home on March 31, with a coveted place at this summer’s Under-21 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States at stake.
Wales qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1958 four years ago, and are hoping to reach the global tournament again this summer.
Beyond the inability to convince Phillips to switch allegiance, Wales' broader play-off aspirations have been hampered by a series of injuries to key senior players.
Captain Ben Davies, the Tottenham defender who reached his 100th cap milestone in October, suffered a broken ankle in January, casting doubt on his potential World Cup involvement should Wales qualify. Centre-back Chris Mepham and striker Kieffer Moore are also sidelined with hamstring injuries.
However, there is positive news regarding squad returns. Wrexham goalkeeper Danny Ward, one of four custodians selected, is back after a four-month absence due to a dislocated elbow.
Full-back Rhys Norrington-Davies and winger Rabbi Matondo, despite a lack of starts for Rangers this season, have also been recalled to the squad.
Wales squad for World Cup qualifying play-offs
Goalkeepers: Karl Darlow (Leeds), Danny Ward (Wrexham), Adam Davies (Sheff Utd), Tom King (Everton).
Defenders: Ben Cabango (Swansea), Jay Dasilva (Coventry), Rhys Norrington-Davies (QPR, on loan from Sheff Utd), Ronan Kpakio (Cardiff), Dylan Lawlor (Cardiff), Joe Rodon (Leeds), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Ethan Ampadu (Leeds).
Midfielders: Jordan James (Leicester, on loan from Rennes), Josh Sheehan (Bolton), Joel Colwill (Cardiff), David Brooks (Bournemouth), Sorba Thomas (Stoke), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Nathan Broadhead (Wrexham), Liam Cullen (Swansea).
Forwards: Mark Harris (Oxford), Lewis Koumas (Hull, on loan from Liverpool), Daniel James (Leeds), Brennan Johnson (Crystal Palace), Rabbi Matondo (Rangers).
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