After being named as Gemma Grainger's successor in February 2024, Wilkinson was fully aware of the need to blood new talent given that a glut of her most prized assets would likely not be at her disposal for too long.
And with Fishlock due to retire from international duty following Saturday's friendly against Australia at Cardiff City Stadium, the onus will swiftly turn to the future.
The FAW have already confirmed they are looking to recruit a talent ID and retention manager to cover the women's and girls' game.
The focus point of the job is defined as follows: "To identify, report and recommend players with the potential to play for Wales covering senior and age group games across relevant leagues and markets."
The hope is that this can bring more talent to Wilkinson's table, and, as Wales have done so successfully in the men's game with players including Ashley Williams, Kieffer Moore, David Brooks and Ethan Ampadu to name a few, there will be scope to find those born outside of Wales who have Welsh heritage in a bid to increase the volume and quality of options Wilkinson can select from.
A prime example has been the inclusion of Charlton Athletic midfielder Mia Ross, who has already represented England at youth level, in the latest squad. Wilkinson stated she has long been in contact with the 22-year-old former Liverpool player.
Similar applies to Gwen Zimmerman who was born in the USA but has represented Wales at youth level.
The impending period of change for the women's senior side was also highlighted by the fact that this month's squad features eight uncapped players (Mia Ross, Annie Wilding, Gwen Zimmerman, Scarlett Hill, Amy Richardson, Poppy Soper, Teagan Scarlett and Tianna Teisar).
READ MORE: “Je ne regrette rien” . . . Wales legend Jess Fishlock Insists She’s Happy To Wave Goodbye
It is a squad that does not include Kayleigh Barton - who retired shortly after Wales' Euro 2025 campaign.
Josie Green, Ella Powell, Rhiannon Roberts, Lily Woodham, Rachel Rowe, Soffia Kelly and Esther Morgan - who were all involved in the summer tournament in Switzerland - are also absent.
The upcoming double header with Australia and Poland will rightly give fans the chance to say farewell to a legend in Fishlock, but for Wilkinson, it provides the platform to assess new and existing younger talent prior to the 2027 Women's World Cup qualifying draw - which takes place on Tuesday, November 4.
The former Canada defender still has the experience of centurions Angharad James, Sophie Ingle and Hayley Ladd to call upon. Other prominent figures such as Ceri Holland, Gemma Evans, Charlie Estcourt, Carrie Jones, Ffion Morgan and Elise Hughes also continue have huge amounts to offer as the squad appears destined for a period of transition as Wales target a spot at the global showpiece in Brazil in less than two years' time.
READ MORE: End of the Jess Fishlock Era Will See Wales Turn to Nine Uncapped Players
"This is the beginning of a new Euro cycle, a new four-year cycle begins," Wilkinson said ahead of what will be the first friendly fixtures of her tenure as boss so far.
"We know that we've got this great group of young players coming through our system that we've been developing through our academies, but equally through our talent ID.
"They're never friendly in terms of wanting to win, but this is the first opportunity I've had to really look at some new players and the qualified players as well."
Fishlock will savour every last second of what will be her 166th and final showing in the red of Wales this weekend, but as far as the nation's evolution is concerned, work has been ongoing in the background relentlessly in preparation for the day that the country's finest finally called time on her glittering international career.
