Jess Fishlock named in Wales squad, despite not playing for over a month
LLANELLI, WALES - 16 JULY 2024: Wales' Jess Fishlock during the UEFA Womens Euro 2025 qualifier League B match between Wales Women and Kosovo Women at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli on the 16th July 2024. (Pic by Ashley Crowden/FAW)
Despite injury concerns, Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson has called up Jess Fishlock and Ceri Holland to her squad to face Slovakia later this month.
Fishlock last played for Seattle Reign on September 7th against Angel City FC but was forced off 17 minutes into the game.
Since then, she’s been ruled out with an unexplained leg injury. However, Wilkinson believes the record breaker will be fine come their first playoff game.
“Jess took a knock with Seattle, and a big thank you to Seattle, because immediately when it happened, they got in touch with us and she was on the road to recovery, and they’ve been cautious with her.
“Reign have had a tough season, and it would have been the easiest thing to put her on the field to try and bolster the team. We’re expecting her to be available for us for these matches against Slovakia.”
Ceri Holland is another nursing a knock, after being taken off in Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against West Ham in the WSL, but like Fishlock, Wilkinson expects one half of her new vice-captains to be fit and ready.
“Ceri is tracking well and looking good. This is the beginning of the WSL and the Championship season, and it’s the end of the NWSL season, so we’ve definitely taken a few knocks in this team.
“We’ve used our depth throughout the campaign to make sure we’ve got as many players as possible in our roster that we can rely on when needed. However, I expect Ceri to be fully fit and available for these games.”
Among the names to come into this squad are Watford defender Anna Filbey, Crystal Palace’s Josie Green, and a first time call-up for Aston Villa midfielder Charlotte Lee.
Another to return to the squad is Leicester City’s Hannah Cain. Cain has missed a lot of game time due to an ACL injury, and while she is highly unlikely to play any minutes during this camp, Wilkinson explained the reason why she has decided to bring the forward back into the fold.
“I haven’t actually worked with Hannah, but I have been in contact with her for many months and playing game time is a little too soon for her. She’s training really well with Leicester, and a big thank you to them for releasing Hannah.
“She’s coming in as a training player, but she’s also coming in to reintegrate with the team again. We’ve done the same thing with Esther Morgan and with Elise Hughes. Hannah has been there in a punditry capacity, but having her back is a good step for her mentally and to see how she enjoys the environment.”
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Game time problems?
While plenty of Welsh stars are getting game time, one who isn’t is newly appointed vice-captain Hayley Ladd.
Ladd didn’t play much towards the end of last season, and so far in this campaign, has only played 80 minutes in United’s League Cup win over Liverpool.
Wilkinson has admitted conversations took place about whether Ladd would seek a new challenge this summer, but said the United stalwart wanted to stay at the club.
“Hayley definitely at the end of last season wasn’t getting the game time she needed, but when she came into camp, she was always sharp, ready to go, showing a great attitude.
“We had conversations in the off-season about whether United was the right place for her, but she wanted to stay and fight, so credit to her. She enjoys her time at the club and she’s getting pushed.
“It’s never easy not to start, and that’s something we’ll have conversations about, but Manchester United have started well and there are some good players in front of her. She’s going to be up for the fight, but it’s always a concern when your players aren’t playing.”
While Ladd may not be playing, there are plenty of internationals who are playing plenty of minutes, none more so than Wales’ international cohort.
Carrie Jones joined Swedish side Norrköping, Charlie Estcourt became the latest player to go Stateside as she went to DC Power, while Olivia Clark is getting Champions League gametime with Dutch champions FC Twente.
Wilkinson admitted it’s a brave option for players to move abroad, but says she is unbelievably proud for those who have made the transfers over.
“We’ve had something like nine moves over the summer in our squad, which is what I want to see. I want to see our players making sure that they’re pushing for game time, to make moves to advance their career.
“Liv Clark, seeing her make that move is so exciting. Straight away in her first competitive match she wins a trophy! She’s getting to grips with the language, and she’s got a great attitude about it. It’s the same with Carrie Jones moving to Sweden and Charlie Estcourt making the move to DC.
“These are brave moves from our players, because the women’s game is growing and more opportunities are coming from it, and it takes a lot of courage to leave these shores. But there’s a real appreciation from me that these women are believing in themselves and taking leaps of faith to advance their careers.”
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Slovak obstacle
The first team standing in Wales’ way in these playoffs are Slovakia.
The Slovaks only picked up four points from their six qualifying games, with those only coming against Israel. Defeats to Serbia and Scotland meant they finished third in their group.
Despite a below par showing, Wilkinson is fully aware of the dangers Slovakia possesses and says her team will not be underestimating them.
“I’ve seen all their games, and they’re a team that does what they do very well. If you don’t respect them and respect the talent they have on that field, they’ll hurt you. They’ve got some underrated talents, and I don’t think their results reflect how well they play at times.
“We’re not looking past the Slovakia game first, and then our game at Cardiff City Stadium the following Tuesday. As soon as you say playoff, a lot of the team brings with it that baggage of the past, but we have to look at it as the next game in front of us.
“That’s what I’m doing, that’s what all my staff will do. If we can take care of what we can control, then I’m confident the results will follow.”
WALES TEAM TO FACE SLOVAKIA
Olivia Clark (FC Twente), Laura O’Sullivan-Jones (Gwalia United), Safia Middleton-Patel (Manchester United)
Rhiannon Roberts (Real Betis), Josie Green (Crystal Palace), Charlie Estcourt (DC Power), Hayley Ladd (Manchester United), Gemma Evans (Liverpool), Mayzee Davies (Liverpool Feds), Lily Woodham (Crystal Palace), Ella Powell (Bristol City), Anna Filbey (Watford)
Alice Griffiths (Southampton), Angharad James (Seattle Reign), Lois Joel (Newcastle United), Rachel Rowe (Southampton), Carrie Jones (IFK Norrköping), Ffion Morgan (Bristol City), Jess Fishlock (Seattle Reign), Ceri Holland (Liverpool), Charlotte Lee (Aston Villa)
Kayleigh Barton (Charlton Athletic), Mary McAteer (Sunderland), Mared Griffiths (Manchester United), Tianna Teisar (Bristol City), Hannah Cain (Leicester City)
