Sheehan to captain Wales in Gibraltar friendly

Josh Sheehan will skipper Wales for nan first clip successful only his sixth world quality erstwhile they look Gibraltar successful Thursday’s friendly.

Wales are expected to section a young and inexperienced squad for nan lucifer successful Portugal, pinch head Rob Page group to manus debuts to respective players.

Bolton Wanderers midfielder Sheehan, 29, has ne'er started a crippled for Wales but will lead a much-changed squad against Gibraltar – classed 203 successful nan world – arsenic first-choice players are rested for Sunday’s friends successful Slovakia.

Thursday’s lucifer astatine Estadio Algarve successful Faro will beryllium Wales’ first since missing retired connected qualification for Euro 2024 aft losing their play-off last astatine location to Poland connected penalties successful March.

There are six uncapped players successful this squad, including Lewis Koumas – nan 18-year-old Liverpool striker and boy of erstwhile Wales midfielder Jason – and 17-year-old Leeds United midfielder Charlie Crew.

Coventry City’s Jay Dasilva and chap defender Fin Stevens, who has impressed connected indebtedness pinch Oxford United from Brentford, Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Tom King and Matt Baker – a Stoke City defender who spent past play connected indebtedness astatine Newport County – are nan different players hoping to gain their first caps.

Wales are without a number of elder players specified arsenic skipper Aaron Ramsey, goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, full-back Neco Williams and midfielders David Brooks and Harry Wilson.

The lucifer against Gibraltar, who Wales hit 4-0 past October, is an perfect chance for Page to research earlier facing Slovakia, who person qualified for Euro 2024, successful Trnava connected Sunday.