Euro 2025 play-offs: Inspiration Jess Fishlock fit for Wales-Republic of Ireland final

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

“Jess is a phenomenal player for the club and always has been. She is adored in Seattle and highly regarded throughout the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League),” Wilkinson added.

“But she plays [on] A completely different level when you play for Wales because you expect that pressure and you’ve 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, like moments of carrying the dragon in your heart. It can almost become something you do, but Jess has never let that happen. “.

Fishlock has not played since the second game against Slovakia, which Wales won 2-0 after Ceri Holland’s goal in extra time, because his club’s season has already ended.

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 Championships in Switzerland.

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

Limitless 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 beat the previous attendance record of 15,200 for a women’s international home match.