Inspiration Fishlock fit for Euro play-off final

Jess Fishlock's goal against Slovakia last month was her 46th for Wales

Euro 2025 qualifying play-off final first leg: Wales v Republic of Ireland

Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Friday, 29 November Kick-off: 19:15 GMT

Coverage: Live on BBC One Wales, iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary. Highlights S4C and later on demand.

Rhian Wilkinson says Jess Fishlock should be an inspiration for her team-mates after declaring the midfielder fully fit for Wales' Euro 2025 play-off final against the Republic of Ireland.

Fishlock is part of a 26-player squad named by Wilkinson for the play-off games, with the first leg in Cardiff on Friday, 29 November before the return in Dublin four days later.

Fishlock, 37, delivered a memorable display to help Wales turn around their play-off semi-final against Slovakia last month despite the fact that she had not played in seven weeks because of injury.

Wilkinson says the 156-cap star is an example for the rest of her squad to follow as Wales look to qualify for a major tournament for the first time.

"Every time Jess has earned a cap for Wales, it's been a special one for her," said the Wales boss.

"She never lets her jersey be wasted. I think that's where we can all learn - to represent your country is a privilege above all others.

"I remember someone saying when I played for Canada that the only people who can wear the [national] emblem across their heart are the military to protect and our athletes to inspire, and Jess takes that very seriously."

Having suffered a leg injury playing for club side Seattle Reign in early September, Fishlock had been a doubt for Wales' play-off ties against Slovakia.

But she returned as a substitute in the first leg, setting up a late Ffion Morgan goal which ensured Wilkinson's side were beaten only 2-1 despite a poor display in Poprad.

Fishlock started the second leg four days later, scoring the goal which sent the tie to extra time and playing the full 120 minutes despite obvious fitness struggles.

"Jess is a phenomenal player for club and always has been. She is adored in Seattle and really appreciated across the NWSL (National Women's Soccer League)," Wilkinson added.

"But she plays [on] a whole different level when she plays for Wales because she expects that pressure and she has lived with it for a long time.

"I think that's where our players can learn from her. These are opportunities that can't be missed, as in moments to wear the dragon across your heart. It can almost become just something that you do, but Jess has never let that happen."

Fishlock has not played since the second Slovakia game – which Wales won 2-0 after Ceri Holland's extra-time goal – because her club's season is over.

But Wilkinson said "phenomenal athlete" Fishlock is "fully fit and training well" in preparation for the play-off final, in which the victors will seal a place at next year's European Championship in Switzerland.

There is only one change to the squad picked for the Slovakia games, with Sunderland midfielder Ellen Jones included for the first time since July as a replacement for Charlotte lee, who is instead join with Wales Under-19s.

Uncapped duo Mared Griffiths and Tianna Teisar are included, but long-term injury victims Sophie Ingle, Elise Hughes and Esther Morgan remain out.

More than 13,000 tickets have been sold for the play-off first leg at Cardiff City Stadium, with Wales hoping to pass the previous record attendance of 15,200 for a home women's international game.

The Republic of Ireland are ranked 24th in the world by Fifa, five places higher than Wales, and thrashed Georgia 9-0 on aggregate in their play-off semi-final.

They are looking to qualify for just the second major championship in their history having reached the 2023 World Cup.

"We have both earned the right to be here and to be vying against each other for this incredible opportunity," Wilkinson said.

"This is a team we know a lot about. We have had wins against them and they have had wins against us. I think it will be quite evenly matched.

"They have beaten France recently, they cruised their last play-off. We know we are going to have to show up from minute one. We can't have a dip like we had against Slovakia."

Wales squad:

Olivia Clark (FC Twente), Laura O'Sullivan-Jones (Gwalia United), Safia Middleton-Patel (Manchester United), Rhiannon Roberts (Real Betis), Josie Green (Crystal Palace), Charlie Estcourt (DC Power), Hayley Ladd (Manchester United), Gemma Evans (Liverpool), Mayzee Davies (Liverpool Feds - Dual contract with Manchester United), Lily Woodham (Crystal Palace - On loan from Seattle Reign), Ella Powell (Bristol City), Anna Filbey (Watford), Alice Griffiths (Southampton), Angharad James (Seattle Reign), Lois Joel (Newcastle United), Rachel Rowe (Southampton), Carrie Jones (IFK Norrköping), Ellen Jones (Sunderland), Ffion Morgan (Bristol City), Jess Fishlock (Seattle Reign), Ceri Holland (Liverpool), Kayleigh Barton (Charlton Athletic), Mary McAteer (Sunderland), Mared Griffiths (Manchester United), Tianna Teisar (Bristol City), Hannah Cain (Leicester City).