More than 50 caps later, Holland is now one of Wales’ key players, and will be missed in the Albania games having been left out of the squad due to injury.

Wales will hope they have enough quality to cope with Holland’s absence as they take on opponents ranked 67th in the world, 36 places below them.

Holland was also absent through injury when Wales faced the Albanians twice during the group phase of World Cup qualifying in April.

Wales were comprehensive victors in the first of those games, a 4-0 triumph in Wrexham, before scrapping to a 1-0 away triumph four days later.

“We have played them and done well and not so well, but we have beaten them,” says Woodham, who started both Albania victories.

“They are a really tough opponent, so we are going to have to work really hard to get through that first stage.”

Delivering a convincing away performance is the first task for Wales after they failed to convince on their travels in the group.

While they were convincing winners at home against Albania, Montenegro (6-1) and – in the decisive final game – the Czech Republic (3-1), Wales could only draw in Montenegro having salvaged a point against the Czechs in Uherske Hradiste in March.

“It is hard going away and the travel does have some sort of impact,” reckons Woodham.

“We have looked at those (away games), reviewed them and hopefully this time we get it right.”



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