WALES boss Rhian Wilkinson has compared Jess Fishlock to Gareth Bale and urged fans to turn out in force for what could potentially be a farewell appearance in her home city of Cardiff.
Wilkinson has named a 26-strong squad for their Euro 2025 play-off final against Republic of Ireland when Seattle Reign veteran Fishlock hopes to help Wales to a first major tournament appearance.
Fishlock, Wales’ record goalscorer and caps holder, has previously said this campaign would “probably” be her last before retirement, but the 37-year-old stated last month that her international future does not depend on achieving Euro 2025 qualification.
Bale is the men’s team record scorer and caps holder and Wilkinson believes Fishlock shares the same status as the former Real Madrid star.
Wilkinson said: “I think people that didn’t take the opportunity to get out and see Gareth Bale in-person regret it, and we’ve got one in Jess Fishlock.
“Don’t miss the opportunity to see (her) live. She’s changed football in Wales, but she’s also changed sport in Wales.
“She’s given it a platform and she’s done it fearlessly. She doesn’t have to speak up other things than football in what she believes because that makes you a target.
“But Jess has never been afraid of that. It is a brave and scary thing to do and she doesn’t seem to be fazed by it.
“Jess is a phenomenal player for club and is adored in Seattle and really appreciated across the NWSL.
“But she plays a whole other level for Wales because she accepts that pressure and has lived with it for a long time.”
Fishlock underlined her importance to Wales in the semi-final victory over Slovakia.
Despite having not played for seven weeks because of injury, Fishlock inspired Wales’ comeback from a 2-0 deficit – scoring one and making two in their eventual 3-2 aggregate victory.
Fishlock has not played since Wales’ 2-1 win in Cardiff on October 29 with Seattle not contesting the NWSL play-offs, but Wilkinson says she is “fully fit” and ready to start both games against the Republic.
She said: “I did not want her to play the entirety of the last game as she was coming back from injury, but it was a reminder that Jess at 50 per cent is still one of your best players.”
Sunderland striker Ellen Jones replaces Aston Villa’s Charlotte Lee in the only change from Wales’ semi-final squad.
The first leg of the play-off final will take place in Cardiff on November 29 with the return at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on December 3.
Squad: O Clark (FC Twente), L O’Sullivan (Gwalia), S Middleton-Patel (Man Utd), R Roberts (Real Betis), J Green (C Palace), C Estcourt (DC Power), H Ladd (Man Utd), G Evans (Liverpool), M Davies (Liverpool Feds – dual contract with Man Utd), L Woodham (C Palace – on loan from Seattle Reign), E Powell (Bristol City), A Filbey (Watford), A Griffiths (Southampton), A James (Seattle Reign), L Joel (Newcastle), R Rowe (Southampton), C Jones (IFK Norrkoping), F Morgan (Bristol City), J Fishlock (Seattle Reign), C Holland (Liverpool), E Jones (Sunderland), K Barton (Charlton), M McAteer (Sunderland), H Cain (Leicester), M Griffiths (Man Utd), T Teisar (Bristol City).
