First Wales call-up for Cardiff-born ace Roberts

WALES Women manager Gemma Grainger has unveiled her squad ahead of her first camp in charge in April.

A 26-player group has been selected ahead of friendlies against Canada and Denmark, ranked eighth and 14th in the world respectively.

The squad was selected just two days after ex-FA coach Grainger stepped into her new role, meaning she has relied heavily on the coaching staff from a February training camp – when Wales were in between managers – for selection.

Wales captain Sophie Ingle, mostcapped footballer Jess Fishlock, vice captain Natasha Harding and record goalscorer Helen Ward all feature.

There are also call-ups for uncapped duo Bethan Roberts, 18, and 23-year-old Ceri Holland.

Cardiff-born Reading defender Roberts is called up for the first time at senior level, having last represented Wales at under-16s, while Liverpool’s Holland – who was named February’s Championship player of the month – links up with the squad after joining for the final few days of February’s training camp. She last represented Wales at under-19s.

Wales face Canada at Leckwith Stadium on Friday, April 9 (6pm), before playing Denmark at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, April 13 (7.15pm). Both matches will be available to watch on BBC Sport and the iPlayer.

The fixtures will serve to mark the start of Grainger’s tenure, after the coach was appointed on a four-year contract, while it will also mark Wales’ return to action since their 3-0 win over Belarus in December. That match brought the end to a campaign where Wales had narrowly missed out on qualification for the 2022 Euros.

Wales Women: Laura O’Sullivan (Cardiff City Ladies), Olivia Clark (Coventry United), Poppy Soper (Plymouth), Rhiannon Roberts (Liverpool), Gemma Evans (Bristol City), Maria Francis-Jones (Cardiff City Ladies), Charlie Estcourt (London Bees), Hayley Ladd (Manchester United), Josie Green (Tottenham), Elise Hughes (Blackburn, on loan from Everton), Anna Filbey (Celtic, on loan from Tottenham), Sophie Ingle (Chelsea), Angharad James (Reading), Jess Fishlock (Reading, on loan from OL Reign), Carrie Jones (Manchester United), Kayleigh Green (Brighton), Natasha Harding (Reading), Rachel Rowe (Reading), Helen Ward (Watford), Lily Woodham (Reading), Georgia Walters (Blackburn), Ffion Morgan (Crystal Palace), Esther Morgan (Tottenham), Ceri Holland (Liverpool), Bethan Roberts (Reading), Kylie Nolan (Cardiff City Ladies).