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End of the Jess Fishlock Era Will See Wales Turn to Nine Uncapped Players

Mia Ross of Charlton. Pic. Alamy

Mia Ross of Charlton. Pic. Alamy

Wales legend Jess Fishlock will make her final appearance for her country later this month as Rhian Wilkinson names a 26-player squad packed with new talent for the October international window.

 

The 37-year-old midfielder will play her last match in red when Wales face Australia at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, 25 October (2pm kick-off). 

The fixture will also be Wales’ first ever meeting with the Matildas, who reached the World Cup semi-finals last year.

Three days later, Wales take on Poland at Rodney Parade, Newport (7:45pm) to round off a double-header that will mix celebration with experimentation.

Fishlock, Wales’ most capped player, announced her retirement from international football after helping her country reach their first major tournament at this summer’s Euro finals. 

Her farewell match in Cardiff will give supporters the chance to honour a career that has defined Welsh women’s football for more than two decades.

While Fishlock’s final outing will dominate the occasion, Wilkinson has also looked firmly to the future. 

Nine uncapped players are included in the squad as part of a gradual rebuild following the summer’s tournament.

Among the debutants are Mia Ross (Charlton Athletic), Annie Wilding (Portsmouth) and Teagan Scarlett (Arsenal), who all earn senior call-ups for the first time. 

READ MORE: In Praise of Jess Fishlock . . . Wales’ Giver of Goals and Provider of Respect

Scarlett and Wilding previously joined a Portugal training camp ahead of the Euros, along with Soffia Kelly, Gwen Zimmerman, Scarlett Hill and Amy Richardson, who also feature.

Six Euros squad members are ruled out through injury — Josie Green, Ella Powell, Rhiannon Roberts, Lily Woodham, Rachel Rowe and Esther Morgan — while Kayleigh Barton’s retirement in August leaves another gap in the squad.

READ MORE: Jess Fishlock Finally Completes 18-Year Journey As Wales Take Giant Final Step

The upcoming games give Wilkinson a chance to blend experience and youth while celebrating one of the nation’s greatest players. 
The manager is expected to use the two fixtures to assess new combinations and prepare for the next qualifying campaign.

Tickets for both matches are available on the FAW website, priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children, with discounts for Red Wall members.

READ MORE: Rhian Wilkinson Hails Jess Fishlock As Wales’ Euro Campaign Ignites Then Fades

Wales squad in full

Goalkeepers: Olivia Clark (Leicester City), Safia Middleton-Patel (Manchester United), Poppy Soper (Rugby Borough)

Defenders: Ceri Holland (Liverpool), Amy Richardson (Celtic), Annie Wilding (Portsmouth), Anna Filbey (Watford), Hayley Ladd (Everton), Gemma Evans (Liverpool), Gwen Zimmerman (Eclipse Select Soccer)

Midfielders: Charlie Estcourt (DC Power), Teagan Scarlett (Arsenal), Sophie Ingle (Bristol City), Alice Griffiths (Rangers), Mia Ross (Charlton Athletic), Angharad James (Seattle Reign), Scarlett Hill (Manchester United), Lois Joel (Newcastle United), Jess Fishlock (Seattle Reign)

Forwards: Carrie Jones (IFK Norrköping), Tianna Teisar (Plymouth Argyle – on loan from Bristol City), Mared Griffiths (Manchester United), Hannah Cain (Leicester City), Ffion Morgan (West Ham United), Elise Hughes (Crystal Palace), Mary McAteer (Charlton Athletic)

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