Leicester City forward misses out on Nations League fixtures
Cardiff, Wales - 6th April 2023: Hannah Cain of Cymru celebrates scoring her sides third goal. Cymru v Northern Ireland in an International Friendly Match at Cardiff City Stadium on the 6th April 2023. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)
Wales manager Gemma Grainger has announced her squad for her first Nations League fixtures.
Cymru begin their campaign away to Iceland, before facing Denmark at Cardiff City Stadium.
There is a new face in the squad, as Blackburn Rovers midfielder Lauren Thomas receives her first call up. Thomas has had a solid start to the season with Rovers, scoring in their last Championship fixture against Sheffield United.
“Lauren is a fantastic player with high potential. We’ve got a group of around ten to twelve players who have got high potential.
“They are very young, in terms of their development journey, they are on track, but we see that they do have potential to be senior national team players in the future. That future could be in six months’ time, it could be in two years, but we were really keen to bring Lauren in.
“She’s been excellent at Blackburn as an attacking player, she’s got incredible pace and technical ability, and she scored her first goal for the club last week, and she keeps growing as a player.”
Sunderland forward Mary McAteer keeps her place in the side after receiving her first call up for the friendly against USA, while Rachel Rowe returns to the squad after injury.
There is bad news, however, for Leicester forward Hannah Cain, who does miss out on the Nations League opener through injury.
“It’s frustrating for us and for Hannah. It’s an injury that means she just misses out on this camp, but we hope that she will be available for the next one.
“The players in pre-season are pushing themselves to be the best they can be, but it’s just one of those things we have to deal with, and in every camp, something is thrown our way.
“For now, it’s all about how we can support Hannah and make sure she is available for the October window.”
The games against Iceland and Denmark mark Wales’ first competitive games since the playoff defeat to Switzerland.
While countless friendlies may not be ideal, Grainger says for her team, it’s business as usual.
“For me and the players, I don’t think the feeling changes. We are in a mindset and mentality where every game for us is a competitive one. On paper, this is the first competitive game since Switzerland, but for us, the games we played throughout the past year, we haven’t altered our approach. Our competitiveness and the way we prepare has never changed.”
While Wales weren’t at this World Cup, it’s still been a busy period for Grainger.
She was invited to Australia and New Zealand in a technical role, and on Monday, was part of the UEFA Football Board, alongside names like Leah Williamson, Alexia Putellas, and Jonas Eidevall.
“It was a privilege to be a part of the board and to be able to represent Wales and women’s football. As a coach, I want to be able to add value, not only from a technical and tactical perspective, but to contribute to a game that keeps growing and on a journey to professionalism.
“It was great to be sat on that group with some current and former players, with coaches, and the group is a really good mix of people.”
Wales will face Iceland in Reykjavik on Friday September 22nd (KO at 19:00), before facing Denmark in Cardiff on Tuesday September 26th (KO at 19:15).
WALES SQUAD TO FACE ICELAND AND DENMARK
Laura O’Sullivan (Cardiff City Ladies), Olivia Clark (Watford), Safia Middleton-Patel (Manchester United)
Rhiannon Roberts (Real Betis), Charlie Estcourt (Reading), Hayley Ladd (Manchester United), Josie Green (Leicester City), Gemma Evans (Manchester United), Lily Woodham (Reading), Esther Morgan (Hearts), Ella Powell (Bristol City)
Sophie Ingle (Chelsea), Angharad James (Tottenham), Anna Filbey (Crystal Palace), Jess Fishlock (OL Reign), Ceri Holland (Liverpool), Lauren Thomas (Blackburn Rovers), Alice Griffiths (Southampton)
Ffion Morgan (Bristol City), Meg Wynne (Southampton), Rachel Rowe (Rangers), Carrie Jones (Bristol City), Kayleigh Green (Charlton Athletic), Elise Hughes (Crystal Palace), Mary McAteer (Sunderland), Chloe Williams (Blackburn Rovers)
