Uncapped Ellen Jones part of Cymru squad to face Northern Ireland and Portugal
Cardiff, Wales 6 September 2022. 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification UEFA Group I match between Wales and Slovenia Women.
Gemma Grainger has named her squad as Cymru prepare to face off against Northern Ireland and Portugal.
There are recalls for Ffion Morgan and Chloe Williams, both of whom missed Cymru’s last camp, while Brighton striker Kayleigh Green is out through injury.
There’s a call up for uncapped Coventry United midfielder Ellen Jones, a player Grainger knows well from her time managing in the English setup.
“I’ve known Ellen for a number of years. Having coached her at international level before, I know what type of player she is.
“I’ve taken her to a European Championship, and I’ve seen what she’s like in that environment, and it’s great to have her in the squad.
“We’ve been watching a lot of players from afar. Ellen went across to America on a scholarship and recently made the decision to come back to the WSL.
“Having players like Ellen come into the squad is such a positive for us.”
This will be Cymru’s first camp since the international retirement of record goal scorer Helen Ward.
Ward made the decision to step away from Cymru after the recent Pinatar Cup campaign, and Grainger is excited to see what the future holds for her, while also making sure she gets the send off she deserves against Northern Ireland.
“I’ve been working with Helen over the past few weeks to make sure that when she announced it, that it would be the right time for her.
“That’ll always be one of the biggest priorities for me. To make sure that every player has everything that they need.
“When players retire from football, it’s not just about making that decision, it’s the feelings that come with it, it’s the family, it’s the process that takes place after that.
“The game against Northern Ireland is going to be a game where we celebrate her and her career. Helen is a part of our team, and she always will be.”
The game against Northern Ireland will mark the team’s first game back in Wales since their World Cup playoff semi-final win over Bosnia.
Grainger and the squad are looking forward to reacquainting themselves with the Red Wall next week.
“Our last game there was against Bosnia and that was one of the best nights for the team, and to be back in front of a home crowd means everything.
“This 10 day camp will prepare us for what it’ll be like in the Nations League, so we want to get in the flow of playing a home game and then an away game, and being in that competitive flow.
“I’m so excited to be back at the Cardiff City Stadium and I can’t wait to see the crowd, and I know the players can’t wait either.”
Cymru will play Northern Ireland at the Cardiff City Stadium on April 6th (kick off at 19:15), before travelling to Guimarães to face Portugal on April 11th (kick off at 17:30).
CYMRU SQUAD TO FACE NORTHERN IRELAND AND PORTUGAL
Laura O’SULLIVAN (Cardiff City Ladies), Liv CLARK (Bristol City), Safia MIDDLETON-PATEL (Manchester United)
Rhiannon ROBERTS (Liverpool), Josie GREEN (Leicester City), Hayley LADD (Manchester United), Gemma EVANS (Reading), Rachel ROWE (Reading), Lily WOODHAM (Reading), Esther MORGAN (Sunderland), Ella POWELL (Bristol City)
Sophie INGLE (Chelsea), Anna FILBEY (Crystal Palace), Angharad JAMES (Tottenham), Charlie ESTCOURT (Birmingham City), Jess FISHLOCK (OL Reign), Chloe WILLIAMS (Blackburn Rovers), Ceri HOLLAND (Liverpool), Alice GRIFFITHS (Southampton), Ellen JONES (Coventry United)
Ffion MORGAN (Bristol City), Georgia WALTERS (Sheffield United), Carrie JONES (Leicester City), Meg WYNNE (Southampton), Elise HUGHES (Crystal Palace), Hannah CAIN (Leicester City)
