Wales women announce Algarve Cup squad

Wales women’s football manager Jarmo Matikainen has named his squad for the Algarve Cup – to be played in early March.

The annual invitation tournament, held in the Algarve in Portugal, sees top women’s teams from all over the world compete over three group games (March 6, 8 and 11), with a final positional match taking place on March 13.

Welsh star Jessica Fishlock will have a quick return to Europe after recently joining Seattle Reign in the States, while the squad has a young look to it. Seven players plying their trade in Wales, and Chelsea Ladies providing no fewer than four of their stars.

Hosts Portugal and Hungary lie in wait, both of whom Wales defeated at last year’s event, with Mexico the third opponents. Wales’ final group foes last year were the Republic of Ireland, with the teams sharing the spoils.

The final match saw Wales go down to Norway, so they will want to go one better this year.

The event will act as preparation for the forthcoming Fifa Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Wales squad:

Nicola Davies - Chelsea

Rhian Nokes - Cardiff City Ladies

Kylie Davies - Chelsea

Lauren Hancock - Cardiff City FC

Carys Hawkins - Sunnana SK

Hayley Ladd - Coventry

Danielle Oates - Blackburn

Lauren Price - Cardiff City FC

Nicola Cousins - Cardiff City Ladies

Loren Dykes - Bristol Academy

Jessica Fishlock - Seattle Reign FC

Michelle Green - Cardiff City Ladies

Sophie Ingle - Chelsea

Angharad James - Bristol Academy

Rachel Hignett - Bristol Academy

Sarah Wiltshire - Watford

Megan Wynne - Watford

Natasha Harding - Bristol Academy

Shan Jones - Caernarfon

Nadia Lawrence - Cardiff City Ladies

Helen Ward (Lander) - Chelsea

One further player to be added to the squad.

Standby:

Alice Evans - Cardiff City Ladies

Gemma Jackson - Blackburn

Kayleigh Green - Cardiff City Ladies

Lauren Townsend - Cardiff City Ladies

Stephanie Turner - Cardiff Met Ladies

Helen Bleazard - Chelsea

Josie Green - Watford

Rachel Rowe - Cardiff City FC

Samantha Quayle - Bristol Academy

Erin Vaughan - Aston Villa