Wales squad announced for Italy and Sweden tests

Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson has named her squad for the opening Nations League games against Italy and Sweden.

There are two welcome returns to the squad, as both Elise Hughes and Esther Morgan come back into the fold after long-term injuries.

There’s a first call-up for Manchester United youngster Scarlett Hill, while there’s also a spot for fellow United teammate Mared Griffiths.

However, there is no spot for Rachel Rowe, who misses out due to injury. Former captain Sophie Ingle is also absent, as she recovers from her ACL injury.

“I’ve met Esther before and I have been following her progress, but her last camp was the one right before I arrived, but we’ve been keeping in touch. She’s coming in as a training player, to get to know the environment, but she’s worked really hard to get back to this position.

“Elise has been pushing for a long time now, but injuries are a part of football, but it’s great to have her back. While she’s been away, so many of our players have scored in the previous Nations League campaign, which means having an out and out striker like Elise means we could have a different look we can show.

“Sophie is in a great spot. She’s always available for a phone call or to come into camp. This time she’s trying her best to push her return to play, but you have to balance it obviously. She won’t be in on this camp for a good reason, and that’s because her recovery is going really well.

“With Rachel, this camp was just on the cusp of being too early for her. I know her well, there’s nothing I need to push her for, so this was an opportunity for us to maybe see some different players in different positions, but her return to playing is going well. Her injury is nothing major and she’ll be back soon.”

Hill joins Wales after being capped by England at youth level, and Wilkinson revealed the reason why she wanted the starlet in this camp.

“We’ve watched Scarlett a few times. Her father comes from Bridgend, and we’ve got the privilege of having three training slots in the senior team where we can bring players in and show them a Welsh environment and what we’re trying to do.

“Our reality in Wales is that we’ve got to make sure that we cast the net where dual nationals are being seen and that we’re giving them opportunities to consider Wales, if we feel that they are of a level. I wanted to speak directly to Scarlett. She came in highly recommended as a player, but even more recommended as a person and character, and that’s something I value strongly.

“Scarlett has got very strong vision for her age. She’s got a confidence in the way she plays, she’s quick off the mark, and she is very eager to learn. She’s courageous in making decisions and I encourage those attributes strongly, especially for our central players.”

Meanwhile, fellow Red Devil Griffiths is coming off the back of an incredible weekend, as she scored two goals on her debut in the FA Cup.

The Trawsfynydd native is yet to be capped by Wales, but Wilkinson believes the future is bright for the youngster.

“What an exciting moment for Mared it was on Saturday, who has been a part of our team all year. She’s been pushing and is right there on the cusp of getting her first cap. She has had this moment in the sun, and it’s so nice to see a young Welsh player getting some plaudits.

“She wasn’t on for very long, but she took her opportunity. I think she’s got a long and successful career ahead of her in this Wales team.”

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Transfer Talk

Plenty of Wales players have changed clubs over the winter window. Perhaps the standout move was Olivia Clark’s one from FC Twente to Leicester City.

Clark only joined the Dutch champions in the summer but has now returned to English shores.

“In my role as a national team coach, we have to look at a player as a complete person. Being an athlete is one part of it, but equally, if they’re not in a good place wholistically, then they’ve got to make a change.

“She was getting wonderful opportunities at FC Twente, a renowned club, and it was amazing to see her play there. But at the same time, she wasn’t in the best place for her as a player and as a person, so we were there to lean on and be of support to her, and this move is the right one for her.”

Hayley Ladd also made a switch in January, as she swapped the red of Manchester United for the blue of Everton.

Ladd could win her 100^th cap away in Italy next Friday, and Wilkinson is delighted that her versatile vice-captain has made a move.

“Hayley is a major part of our squad and it’s one of those moments that can’t go ignored; 100 caps is such a big milestone. It’s a special moment for our vice-captain, who has been an integral piece to our success over the last few years.

“She is a great example of what we need from our players. Of course, it’s great to be playing at some of the biggest clubs possible, but if you’re not playing, you don’t develop as much as a player, and if you’re not developing as a player, then what’s the point? Hayley has shown everyone that you have to fight for your career, make sure you’re being given every opportunity to continue to develop.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Alice Griffiths has made a loan move from Southampton to fellow Championship side Durham.

Griffiths has become one of Wilkinson’s key cogs in recent times, and the manager is looking forward to seeing the midfielder get more game time.

“It’s all about how do we make sure our players are getting the minutes they need in order to perform for the national team. I don’t think I’m speaking out of turn when I say that Welsh players aren’t always valued in the same way as other nations.

“I speak as a Canadian who has played in the USA for a long time, and it wasn’t seen as exciting having someone from Canada in your team when you had a Brazilian or a Spanish or French player. Sometimes you have to make hard moves to build your career and then come back and show everyone what was really there all along.

“Alice maybe wasn’t getting the minutes she wanted at Southampton, and she’s made a hard decision to go out on loan, but equally, I’m sure she’ll be back at Southampton at some point and getting a lot of minutes.”

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Nations League challenge

Wales will kick off their Nations League campaign away in Italy next Friday night, before facing off against Sweden in Wrexham on Tuesday February 25^th.

Wilkinson’s side are the lowest seeded team in this group, which also contains Denmark, but the Canadian is looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“This is a perfect run into our Euros campaign. We’re facing off against top opposition, every team will give us a different challenge. I don’t mean to diminish Wales, but when we’re at the bottom of League A and the top of League B, this is probably where we should be. We need to make sure that whenever we get the opportunity to play top opposition that we make the most of it.

“We want to show a bravery in our play, learn hard lessons, and make the most of everything leading into a history-making Euros. Sometimes we get these opportunities and we’re too fearful to learn from them. It’s a fine line between bravery and stupidity, but equally, I’m excited to show this team on the world stage.”

The Nations League campaign will be Wales’ only games before the start of the European Championships, and despite facing higher ranked teams, Wilkinson revealed that she will be experimenting.

“You have to try new things, whether it’s new pairings on the field or new players in the squad or how we manoeuvre on the field, we have to try new things. That’s what I mean when I talk about having that bravery. It’s about the players doing what they do and not getting caught up in the moment.

“It’s the same for the coaching staff. It’s about how do we keep pushing our standards and maybe, hopefully, we’ll find a combination that’s going to be a difference maker for us. We have to do that against League A opposition, like we would against teams in League B.”

Wales squad to face Italy and Sweden

Olivia Clark (Leicester City), 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 (Everton), Gemma Evans (Liverpool), Mayzee Davies (Manchester City), Lily Woodham (Crystal Palace), Esther Morgan (Sheffield United)

Angharad James (Seattle Reign), Jess Fishlock (Seattle Reign), Alice Griffiths (Durham), Ella Powell (Bristol City), Lois Joel (Newcastle United), Mared Griffiths (Manchester United), Scarlett Hill (Manchester United)

Hannah Cain (Leicester City), Kayleigh Barton (Charlton Athletic), Elise Hughes (Crystal Palace), Ceri Holland (Liverpool), Carrie Jones (IFK Nörrkoping), Ffion Morgan (Bristol City), Ellen Jones (Sunderland), Mary McAteer (Sunderland)

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)