Sheehan to captain Wales in Gibraltar friendly

Josh Sheehan made 53 appearances for Bolton in the 2023-24 season

Josh Sheehan will captain Wales for the first time in only his sixth international appearance when they face Gibraltar in Thursday’s friendly.

Wales are expected to field a young and inexperienced team for the match in Portugal, with manager Rob Page set to hand debuts to several players.

Bolton Wanderers midfielder Sheehan has never started a game for Wales but will lead a much-changed team against Gibraltar - ranked 203rd in the world - as first-choice players are rested for Sunday’s friendly in Slovakia.

Sheehan, 29, said it was a "surreal" moment when Page told him he would be wearing the armband.

"He told me this morning - he pulled me aside after breakfast and said 'you are playing tomorrow' and he just dropped in there 'you are going to be leading the boys out'," Sheehan added.

"I couldn't really believe it to be honest - it's not something I thought was going to happen. I was happy to be playing the game and try to show what I am about. To lead the boys out is something you dream about."

Thursday's match at Estadio Algarve in Faro will be Wales' first since missing out on qualification for Euro 2024 after losing their play-off final at home to Poland on penalties in March.

There are six uncapped players in this squad, including Lewis Koumas - the 18-year-old Liverpool striker and son of former Wales midfielder Jason - and 17-year-old Leeds United midfielder Charlie Crew.

Coventry City's Jay Dasilva and fellow defender Fin Stevens, who has impressed on loan with Oxford United from Brentford, Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Tom King and Matt Baker - a Stoke City defender who spent last season on loan at Newport County - are the other players hoping to earn their first caps.

Wales are without a number of senior players such as captain Aaron Ramsey, goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, full-back Neco Williams and midfielders David Brooks and Harry Wilson.

The match against Gibraltar, who Wales beat 4-0 last October, is an ideal chance for Page to experiment before facing Slovakia, who have qualified for Euro 2024, in Trnava on Sunday.

Sheehan, who won his first cap in 2020, has played more than 300 senior games in a career which started at Swansea City and included a three-year spell at Newport County.

He feels his experience at club level may have played a part in Page's decision to make him captain.

"It's a younger group in this camp. I haven't played so many at internationals but I have played a lot of league games, so maybe he has taken that into consideration," Sheehan added.

"Hopefully I can show that on the pitch. For me playing for Wales was always the goal and to be captain was never part of my plans. To do it is something you will never forget."