Harding makes return to Wales squad

WALES Women manager Jayne Ludlow has named a 24-strong squad to face Estonia in a friendly in Wrexham next Friday in preparation for Euro 2021 qualifiers with Faroe Islands and Norway in April.

Forward Natasha Harding makes her return following a knee injury, but Jess Fishlock is absent as she continues her recovery from ACL surgery in America, while Wales are also without defender Gemma Evans and the versatile Elise Hughes.

Wales’ most-capped footballer

Fishlock is set to make her return to the international arena in April after progressing well with her rehab after tearing her ACL last year.

“We had a good conversation in the last week,” Ludlow said.

“It’s not suitable for her to come and pretty much miss a week of the progression and her rehab to fly over and back [from Seattle-based Reign FC]. It didn’t make sense.

“It’s all positive, but right now we don’t want to interrupt that in any way, shape or form, so she’ll be joining us in April.”

Ludlow will be coming up against her predecessor Jarmo Matikainen, who was Wales boss between 2010 and 2014, for the Racecourse friendly on Friday, March 6 (7pm).