Jess Fishlock: Legend can be an inspiration as Wales players look for game time – Ryan Wilkinson

The number of Welsh players getting regular football, in the top leagues at least, is low.

Goalkeeper Safiya Middleton-Battle has had some welcome starts for Manchester United in recent weeks thanks to an injury to regular number one Fallon Tullis-Joyce.

However, she is likely to return to the bench when US international Tullis Joyce returns to fitness.

Middleton-Battle’s main competition for the Wales goalkeeper’s shirt, Olivia Clarke, has been a back-up option since joining Leicester City in January from FC Twente.

Among Wilkinson’s defensive options, Gemma Evans and Lily Woodham play regularly in the Women’s Super League (WSL), albeit for Liverpool at the bottom of the table.

Meanwhile, Hayley Ladd makes sporadic appearances for Everton, while youngsters Scarlett Hill (Manchester United), Tegan Scarlett (Arsenal) and Maisie Davies (Manchester City) – who is recovering from a long-term knee injury – are still trying to establish themselves at club level.

Rhiannon Roberts (Sunderland), Annie Wilding (Portsmouth) and Bristol City duo Esther Morgan and Ella Powell have been playing regular football when fit, despite it being in the WSL2 Championship.

Welsh midfielder Siri Holland is another Liverpool regular, while Fionn Morgan is getting WSL football for another of the division’s strugglers, West Ham, and Jones has impressed at Swedish side IFK Norrkoping.

But after being a regular for the Seattle Reign in the early stages of the 2025 NWSL season, Wales captain Angharad James has spent most of her time on the bench since Euro 2025.