Estcourt set to win 50th cap as Ladd captains Wales vs Poland

Charlie Estcourt made her Wales debut in March 2015 at the age of 16

International friendly: Wales v Poland

Venue: Rodney Parade Date: Tuesday, 28 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Coverage: Live on iPlayer and BBC One Wales, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales Extra and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.

Charlie Estcourt is set to win her 50th cap for Wales as they take on Poland in a friendly at Rodney Parade on Tuesday.

The DC Power defender made her Wales debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina in March 2015 and could become to latest Wales player to reach a half century of caps.

She came off the bench in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Australia in Jess Fishlock's 166th and final game for Wales.

Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson says the 27-year-old is an "exceptional person".

"She is such a wonderful person," said Wilkinson.

"She always put the team first, supports her teammates and she is always prepared.

"She has trained so well this week, I've been really impressed with her."

"She hasn't had an easy time under me, she hasn't had that many minutes.

"If she does win her 50th, it will be well earned."

Wilkinson was quick to praise Estcourt's attitude, having left Reading last season after the club withdrew from the Championship amid significant financial problems.

Estcourt had acted as a spokesperson for the squad throughout periods of the struggle.

"Charlie is one of our players who's taken a huge leap, she had to when Reading folded, she had to find somewhere," said Wilkinson.

"She went out to the USA [to DC Power], far from home and loved ones, maybe not getting the minutes that I would like and I'm sure she would like.

"You need to be able to look at the bench and know that she can come on and do a fantastic job.

"I put her in against Australia and I knew she'd do well because of how she'd trained all week, I think she'd been one of our best players so it was really good to see."

Hayley Ladd will captain Wales for the third time on Tuesday.

Her previous two matches with the armband were a Euro 2025 qualifier against Ukraine in June 2024 and again on her 100th cap against Italy in February 2025.

She was named vice-captain alongside Ceri Holland in October 2024, when Angharad James-Turner was named as Sophie Ingle's successor.

Ladd says that Estcourt is someone who is "really easy to work with".

"She's so insightful, she always wants to learn," said Ladd.

"If she's playing new positions, she just takes it on and she looks like it doesn't faze her.

"She's a wonderful person and a great player too."

Ladd says she hopes she can "have a positive impact" as she takes the armband.

"It's a really nice feeling to be leading the team out," said Ladd.

"Haz [Angharad James-Turner] is a great captain and as a group alongside Ceri we're a strong leadership group and we look out for each other."

With manager Rhian Wilkinson expected to give more chances to youth in the squad, Ladd says she has been impressed with the youngsters.

"I think we've got amazing young players coming through," added Ladd.

"I'm always really impressed when we come into camp and I see the girls application in training.

"It doesn't matter the experience level or age, with the culture we have here, I think people really come into their own.

"I'm really looking forward to being part of the squad tomorrow."