A productive week for Vera Pauw’s Ireland squad at the Pinatar Cup will conclude with clash against Wales

The Republic of Ireland women’s team will conclude their participation in the Pinatar Cup in Spain with a game on Tuesday against Wales (kick off 14:30 Irish time).

Having beaten Poland 2-1 and lost to Russia 1-0, Vera Pauw’s side will play in the third/fourth place play-off against a Welsh side that beat Scotland 3-1 in their first game before losing 3-1 on penalties to Belgium after the game finished scoreless.

Vera Pauw has been pleased with how the training camp and friendly matches have gone for the girls in green in the south of Spain over the last week, as a key step in the preparation for the upcoming World Cup qualifier in April away to current table toppers Sweden.

"We are looking forward to the game against Wales, which will close out the Pinatar Cup and a very productive week for our squad,” said the Ireland boss. “Our intention was always to use this week to work hard on what we will need to call on when we play Sweden in our next FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifier in April.

"The performances against both Poland and Russia were very good and it was particularly crucial that we got to have a closer look at many players in the Russia game. 

“Developing all of the players is part of our journey and makes us stronger overall with more options in every position that we know that we can rely on.”

It is expected that Ireland will put out a strong side for the game against Wales although a few injury concerns mean there is a small number of players who aren’t available for selection.

"This past week has been fantastic in adding to our development and the hard work put in by the players and the staff is key to that.

“Part of that is ensuring that we manage the load put on the players so that they do not pick up new injuries but also that they are given the required time to recover from previous injuries. 

“That is why we did not risk Megan Campbell and why Chloe Mustaki will not feature against Wales, even though she did so well in our last game (winning player of the match).”

The FAI confirmed that while goalkeeper Grace Moloney is unavailable due to a shoulder injury, Heather Payne has recovered from a groin strain and will make the match day squad.

Chloe Mustaki: ‘When the messages were coming through on my phone, I definitely had tears in my eyes’ https://t.co/haTaxRAYcUpic.twitter.com/w9JPJTCKbG

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) February 20, 2022

Republic of Ireland WNT Squad

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Eve Badana (DLR Waves)

Defenders: Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (Manchester United), Claire Walsh (Glasgow City), Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC), Áine O’Gorman (Peamount United)

Midfielders: Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Rangers), Jess Ziu (Shelbourne), Ellen Molloy (Wexford Youths), Isibeal Atkinson (Celtic)

Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Kyra Carusa (HB Hoge), Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Shelbourne), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)

Ellen Molloy: ‘Any bit of advice the senior girls give me, I try and take it on board and bring it back to my club’ https://t.co/tgJXnlJM37pic.twitter.com/m7xZM1b8IL

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) February 21, 2022