Still, it is good to be home as he embarks upon a route back to the top and while opportunities may present themselves in 2027, Crocker is not looking past the challenge of 26-year-old Cooper who will see this as his golden ticket.

“It would have been great to have a first defence in Belfast, but ultimately it doesn’t matter – there’s still two men getting into the ring,” Crocker reasoned.

“It’s good to be back in Belfast anyway, and get on the road to two-time world champion.

“More than anything now, I want to be a two-time world champion and we’ve a great plan ahead but I’m not looking past Owen, because he’s a great fighter and I’m expecting a really tough test.”

Crocker’s old foe Paddy Donovan is front of the queue to face Paro, while the welterweight division has come alive once again with some of the sport’s biggest names in Ryan Garcia [WBC], Teofimo Lopez [WBA] and Devin Haney [WBO] holding the other titles.

A second shot at a title at Windsor Park where he won his first against Donovan “would be great” but whomever and wherever, Crocker would be happy to take.

“There are four world titles out there, so any one of them [would be great],” he continued.

“[I plan to get] back on track and push towards it, but as I say, Owen’s my main focus right now.”

It was Albania who appeared much more likely to find the target, with Wales goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel required to do plenty of work.

When Middleton-Patel was beaten, Wales were saved by the woodwork, when Fortesa Berisha’s shot rattled the post, and then the officials, as Megi Doci’s effort was ruled out for offside.

Wales were fortunate to avoid defeat, never mind a draw.

“There were moments where obviously they could have scored, but you ride your luck sometimes,” said Wales midfielder Rachel Rowe.

“We rode the game out. I’m really proud of the girls. We go into Tuesday confident and with areas to improve on.”

The biggest positive for Wales is that, as Wilkinson pointed out, they found a way to win on a “hard day” at the Loro Borici Stadium.

“We need to make sure we take care of business at home but equally push our standards a bit,” the Wales head coach added.

A bit may well be enough against Albania, but a lot may be required if Wales are to move all the way through what is a lengthy qualifying process.

The first task is to get over the line in Llanelli, where Wales will hope to reproduce the kind of performance which delivered a 4-0 win over Albania in Wrexham in April.

Cole Palmer has signed a new Chelsea contract on improved terms until 2034.

The England international, 24, was already under contract until 2033 but is being rewarded for his performances following his emergence as one of Chelsea‘s key attacking players.

He is also increasingly viewed as a dressing-room leader behind the scenes.

The deal leaves Palmer on one of the longest contracts in the Premier League, with only Manchester City‘s Erling Haaland and Chelsea team-mates Joao Pedro and Geovany Quenda also contracted to 2034.

Palmer signed his previous contract only two years ago having joined in a £42.5m move from Manchester City in 2023.

The renewal is the latest in a series of contract extensions at Chelsea designed to reward established and emerging players while maintaining the club’s wage structure.

Joao Pedro also signed a new contract until 2034 in August, followed by Pedro Neto signing a new six-year contract last month.

Palmer has developed a strong understanding with the Brazil forward, while also rekindling his on-pitch partnership with his “best friend in football”, Morgan Rogers, during the early stages of Xabi Alonso’s reign as manager.

He was one of the few people privy to Chelsea‘s negotiations to sign Rogers from Aston Villa for a club-record £117m fee this summer.

Palmer has scored four goals and provided two assists in seven matches this season.

It represents a return to form for Palmer after suffering a niggling groin issue throughout last season, when he admitted he had played through the problem even though he “probably shouldn’t have done”.

Ultimately, his lack of availability led to his omission from England’s World Cup squad over the summer, having previously sought specialist advice on whether surgery was required.

Palmer has played more minutes than any Chelsea player this season but missed England’s recent international break, prompting Thomas Tuchel to say he “misses too many opportunities”.

Alonso confirmed Palmer is expected to be available for Saturday’s game against Bournemouth and insisted he remains committed to playing for England.

“Absolutely. He’s committed, but he needs to be fully fit to play,” Alonso said.

“And when he’s fully fit, he will enjoy his minutes. We need him in that moment. The club and the national team.

“He trained over the past week and has been feeling better, but we didn’t want to rush him.”

Alonso’s side are 10th in the table after five matches, having conceded 12 goals.