Gemma Grainger announces Wales squad for USA friendly
PONTYCLUN, WALES - 18 MARCH 2021: Gemma Grainger takes part in a media session at the FAW’s offices ahead of her being appointed as the new Wales women national team manager. Vale resort, March 18th 2021, Wales (Pic By John Smith/FAW)
Striker Mary McAteer has been called up to the senior squad for the first time, as Gemma Grainger named her squad to face the USA next month.
While McAteer is in, there is no place for Sophie Ingle and Rachel Rowe.
Ingle is suspended after receiving a red card against Portugal, while Rowe is recovering from a calf injury.
McAteer has been a regular fixture in the Wales U19s setup, and Grainger is delighted to have the youngster on board.
“I’m very excited to have Mary in the squad. She’s one of our youth players and one of the things we invest heavily in is our youth team.
“Mary is a really exciting player. We’ve seen her play in the Championship last season with Coventry, and she was a shining light in that team.
“She’s a goal scorer, and a player we wanted to bring into our environment early and really invest in her, because I think she’ll be a starting player in this team in the future.”
McAteer moved over to the Midlands club in January and starred for the team, who were rooted to the bottom of the Championship.
She was a standout for the club, putting in good attacking performances each week, and Grainger believes it shows how good her character is.
“She’s got an incredible drive. Her character is mature and she’s very focused.
“The move that she made to Coventry was done for her to play minutes, and she’s shown that she can score and create opportunities.
“Clubs have recognised the success she’s had at Coventry, and it’ll be exciting to see what her club prospects are next season.”
McAteer is one of many players who are currently unattached who have been selected for the game in San Jose.
While Rhiannon Roberts has joined Real Betis and Gemma Evans looks set to join Manchester United, questions still remain over the likes of Kayleigh Green, Esther Morgan, and Rachel Rowe.
However, the manager is confident everyone will have new clubs in the near future.
“Three or four of the players who are currently unattached, we’re aware there have been deals sorted or are being sorted.
“For me it’s a pretty normal time of the season. There’s peaks and troughs in terms of the number of players unattached, but the process of getting players a new club is well underway.”
Grainger has now been in charge for over two years, and her style of play is very recognisable.
The same cannot be said for her counterpart Rob Page, who’s style of play has come into question after poor results against Armenia and Turkey.
Asked whether Page and the team could learn a thing or two from the women’s team, Grainger said her door is always open for discussions.
“I know there will be no one more disappointed with those results than Rob.
“We do work closely together, and Rob and I meet regularly. We’re always open to having conversations and that’s something we do quite naturally.”
WALES TEAM TO FACE USA
Laura O’SULLIVAN (Cardiff City Ladies), Olivia CLARK (Bristol City), Safia MIDDLETON-PATEL (Manchester United)
Rhiannon ROBERTS (Real Betis), Hayley LADD (Manchester United), Gemma EVANS (Reading), Lily WOODHAM (Reading), Esther MORGAN (Unattached), Ella POWELL (Bristol City)
Josie GREEN (Leicester City), Charlie ESTCOURT (Birmingham City), Anna FILBEY (Crystal Palace), Angharad JAMES (Tottenham), Jess FISHLOCK (OL Reign), Ceri HOLLAND (Liverpool)
Ffion MORGAN (Bristol City), Meg WYNNE (Southampton), Carrie JONES (Manchester United), Hannah CAIN (Leicester City), Kayleigh GREEN (Unattached), Elise HUGHES (Unattached), Mary MCATEER (Unattached)
