TWO of mid Wales’ shining talents have been included in the latest Welsh squad for the forthcoming UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 qualifying round against Norway.

Manager Jayne Ludlow has named a squad of 27 players with Newtown’s Carrie Jones and Llanidloes’ Maria Francis-Jones included.

Wales welcome back a host of players following their 2-0 win in a friendly against Estonia in March.

Wales most-capped international Jess Fishlock returns to the squad following an 18-month absence due to injury, while Elise Hughes and Gemma Evans also return to the squad following injury.

Captain Sophie Ingle is expected to become Wales’ third centurion by winning her 100th cap in Oslo.

The achievement will add to an already successful 2020 for Ingle who has won three domestic trophies for her club Chelsea this year.

Poppy Soper, Cerys Jones and Bethan McGowan, who have all represented Wales at youth level have received their first senior side call-ups.

Megan Wynne is out of the squad after picking up an ACL injury during pre-season, while veteran Loren Dykes is unavailable for selection due to personal reasons.

Twenty of the players selected will travel to Oslo to face Norway on Tuesday, September 22.

Wales currently sit in second place in the group, four points behind the Norwegians with four games remaining.

County Times:

Maria Francis-Jones in action for Wales.

UEFA have confirmed that until further notice all matches will be played behind closed doors due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The nine group winners and the three best runners-up qualify directly for the final tournament, while the remaining six runners-up advance to the play-offs.

Wales assistant manager Lauren Smith will also be running the rule over the provisional squad alongside Ludlow with the former Newtown High School student among the most senior coaches in the Welsh set-up.

The latest call-ups continue the great strides made by Powys’ football players Jones and Francis-Jones.

Both players were developed by local clubs and represented their schools.

Jones represented Llanfair Caereinion and Newtown high schools as the sides made the national schools finals.

Meanwhile Francis-Jones starred for Llanidloes High School.

Both players represented Wales at junior level and developed their skills as part of the Football Association of Wales (FAW) elite programme in Newport.

The duo represented Cardiff City before Jones departed earlier in the summer with a move to world football giants Manchester United while Francis-Jones has gone on to break into the Cardiff City squad.

It is hoped the success of the youngsters will further inspire more girls to take up the sport in Powys.

The women’s game is rebuilding in the region but next season will see Llanfair United joined in the North Wales Women’s League by Welshpool Town.