In-Form Aaron Collins Handed Wales Call-Up as Injured Kieffer Moore Withdraws

Uncapped MK Dons forward Aaron Collins has received a call-up to the Wales squad for their upcoming Nations League fixtures after Kieffer Moore was forced to withdraw through injury. Wrexham striker Moore, 34, exited the pitch during his side's 1-1 Championship draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. While the Welsh camp has not disclosed the nature of the 57-cap forward's physical setback, manager Craig Bellamy has drafted in Collins to bolster the attack for the concluding Group A4 tests away to Norway and at home to Portugal.

Collins joins the national setup in prolific goalscoring form for League One club Milton Keynes Dons. The 29-year-old, who was born in Newport and previously played for Newport County, has found the net 17 times in 16 appearances across all competitions this season, including a four-goal display against Doncaster last month. The EFL's joint-top goalscorer arrives on the back of seven goals in his past three games, having represented 10 predominantly lower-tier clubs since leaving Rodney Parade for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2016.

Bellamy's squad has experienced further adjustments ahead of Saturday's encounter against Norway at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo. The Wales boss must navigate the international window without midfielder Jordan James, but he is handed a boost with the returns of Cardiff playmaker Rubin Colwill alongside influential Leeds pair Harry Wilson and Joe Rodon. Following their clash in Norway, Bellamy's side will return home to complete their group campaign against Portugal next Tuesday.

Wales head into the final two matchdays aiming to preserve their spot in the Nations League's top tier. Currently sitting third in Group A4, their solitary victory across four matches arrived against World Cup quarter-finalists Norway in Cardiff last month. The team could still finish anywhere between second and fourth; a top-two ranking secures advancement to the Nations League quarter-finals in March 2027, third position leads to a relegation play-off against a League B side in March, and finishing bottom will trigger either direct relegation or a relegation play-off based on rankings across other League A sections.