Wales announce squad for Pinatar Cup
Gemma Grainger claps supporters. Wales 4-0 Estonia in a FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 26th October 2021. Credit: Mike James
Gemma Grainger has selected her squad for the forthcoming Pinatar Cup campaign.
Sheffield United keeper Beth Davies is the only new face in an otherwise familiar squad, as Cymru prepare to face the Philippines, Scotland, and Iceland out in Spain.
“The Pinatar Cup is something we’re familiar with, we had great experience in the competition last year,” Gemma began by saying.
“We’re very excited about the squad we’ve selected, we have a lot our players available for selection which is always a great thing.
“Coming out of the end of last year and reviewing the campaign, and now looking ahead to this window and an opportunity for this team to get back together and kick on with momentum.”
Hannah Cain and Esther Morgan also return from long-term injury, and Grainger is delighted to have the two young stars up for selection.
“It’s great having players like Hannah and Esther back in the squad, and are now available and fit to play.
“I’m excited to get them back on the training pitch and giving them some minutes in a Welsh shirt.”
The Blades’ Davies will join halfway through the cup campaign, with Safia Middleton-Patel going to join the U19 side for their mini-tournament in Portugal, where they will play Portugal, Poland, and Iceland.
The U19s is a squad full of talent, and Gemma believes for them, a tough game against a side like Portugal could be the best way to further aid their development.
“We have a really strong connection with the U19 side and player development is our absolute priority.
“We need to make sure our players with the best potential have the best opportunities to play as many games as possible.
“They’ve got some games against a strong opposition like Portugal, and I feel like for them that’s a better opportunity to manage them as players.”
Cymru’s record goal scorer Helen Ward is also in the squad, and when asked if she will be in the camp come September’s competitive fixtures, Grainger was confident that she could be there.
“At the moment I’m very confident [that she will be there], and that every member of our team will be available.
“I think the conversations we need to have with players and how we want to work around that transition is something that will happen in the coming weeks.
“But in terms of every player and the competitive fixtures starting in September, there will be conversations with different players about different things.”
Wales begin their Pinatar Cup campaign with a game against the Philippines on September 15th, with the game kicking off at 19:30.
WALES SQUAD FOR THE 2023 PINATAR CUP
Laura O’SULLIVAN (Cardiff City Ladies), Liv CLARK (Bristol City), Safia MIDDLETON-PATEL (Manchester United), Beth DAVIES (Sheffield United), Rhiannon ROBERTS (Liverpool), Josie GREEN (Leicester City), Hayley LADD (Manchester United), Gemma EVANS (Reading), Rachel ROWE (Reading), Lily WOODHAM (Reading), Sophie INGLE (Chelsea), Anna FILBEY (Crystal Palace), Angharad JAMES (Tottenham), Georgia WALTERS (Sheffield United), Charlie ESTCOURT (Birmingham City), Jess FISHLOCK (OL Reign), Carrie JONES (Leicester City), Meg WYNNE (Southampton), Elise HUGHES (Crystal Palace), Kayleigh GREEN (Brighton and Hove Albion), Helen WARD (Watford), Ceri HOLLAND (Liverpool), Maria FRANCIS-JONES (Sheffield United), Esther MORGAN (Tottenham), Hannah CAIN (Leicester City), Ella POWELL (Bristol City), Alice GRIFFITHS (Bristol City)
