Wales are without nine regulars in their squad for the next stage of their bid to reach their first World Cup.
Olivia Clark, Poppy Soper, Rhiannon Roberts, Hayley Ladd, Ella Powell, Laura Hughes, Mia Ross, Ffion Morgan and Jeri Holland – Wales’ most influential performer since the retirement of Jess Fishlock – all missed out through injury.
Apart from backup goalkeeper Soper, all these players would be in contention to play some part in the two Albania matches.
A long list of forwards means the Wales squad has a young look, with six players and a number of others with minimal international experience.
Despite this, Wilkinson says Wales are in a good position to cope thanks to their regular policy of inviting young players to train with their senior team.
“I think it would be silly of me to say that nine injuries were predictable – I think it was out of the norm,” Wilkinson said.
“If I didn’t have injuries, I would be injured, but at the same time this is football and we adapt and we are a small country.