Gemma Grainger has stuck with experience in naming her squad for Wales’ upcoming Pinatar Cup campaign, the first competitive matches the team will face since their agonising World Cup qualifying play-off final loss to Switzerland in October.
The 27-woman squad is headlined by tried-and-tested trio Jessica Fishlock, Sophie Ingle and Angharad James. Wales’ record-goalscorer Helen Ward and Kayleigh Green both retain their spots, while Leicester City’s Hannah Cain, Liverpool’s Ceri Holland and Tottenham Hotspur’s Esther Morgan return after recovering from respective injuries.
Grainger has recruited just one new face in Bethan Davies, with the 25-year-old Sheffield United goalkeeper set to meet up with the squad midway through the campaign as Manchester United goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel will depart to feature in Wales under-19s’ mini-tournament in Portugal.
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Grainger, who recently signed a two-year contract extension with the FAW, made clear her confidence in leading Wales to a first-ever major women’s tournament, with the upcoming Euro 2025 qualifiers set to commence in September the critical next step in doing so.
Grainger admitted that incorporating new players and playing style would comprise her blueprint for Euro 2025 qualification, admitting that her starting XI had become worryingly “predictable”.
After the World Cup qualifying loss, Grainger said: "I will be looking to integrate new players into the team and maybe a new playing style as we continue to evolve.
"So it will be a different looking team come September. I don't know what that looks like right now, but I can guarantee that the planning that goes into it will be very thorough.
“Player identification is a huge priority for us and a key part of any successful team. For me to be able to select from a bigger player pool, and a more competitive player pool, is one of my number one priorities."
In Wales’ final four matches last year – including the World Cup qualifying semi-final and final – Grainger rotated between 13 players for her starting XI, with the two changes forced through injury. Natasha Harding took the place of the injured Fishlock against Slovenia in Wales’ final group stage qualifier while Lily Woodham started in the friendly against Finland in October in place of the injured Holland.
Wales will face the Philippines on February 15, followed by Iceland on 18 and Scotland on 21. All matches will be shown live on BBC iPlayer.
Wales squad in full
Goalkeepers: Laura O’Sullivan (Cardiff City Ladies), Olivia Clark (Bristol City), Safia Middleton-Patel (Manchester United), Bethan Davies (Sheffield United)
Defenders: Rhiannon Roberts (Liverpool), Charlie Estcourt (Birmingham City), Hayley Ladd (Manchester United), Josie Green (Leicester City), Gemma Evans (Reading), Lily Woodham (Reading), Esther Morgan (Sunderland - on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders: Sophie Ingle (Chelsea), Anna Filbey (Crystal Palace), Angharad James (Tottenham Hotspur), Jess Fishlock (OL Reign)
Forwards: Ceri Holland (Liverpool), Megan Wynne (Southampton), Kayleigh Green (Brighton & Hove Albion), Helen Ward (Watford), Elise Hughes (Crystal Palace), Georgia Walters (Sheffield United), Carrie Jones (Leicester City - on loan from Manchester United), Hannah Cain (Leicester City), Rachel Rowe (Reading), Ella Powell (Bristol City), Alice Griffiths (Southampton), Maria Francis-Jones (Sheffield United – on loan from Manchester City).
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