Wales boss Wilkinson to continue rotating keepers
Safia Middleton-Patel and Olivia Clark are both set to play a part as Wales attempt to qualify for a first Women's World Cup
- Published
Rhian Wilkinson intends to continue rotating her goalkeepers during Wales' Women's World Cup qualifying campaign.
Wales kick off their bid to reach the 2027 World Cup in Brazil when they face the Czech Republic at the City Stadium in Uherske Hradiste on Tuesday.
Wilkinson has regularly switched between her two frontline keepers, Olivia Clark and Safia Middleton-Patel, during her time as Wales head coach and says that approach will continue.
"Both of them have performed for Wales but I don't feel either of them really grabbed the jersey yet and so I try not to make it [so] that it's a combative environment," Wilkinson said.
"They know before they come in which games they're going to be playing, so I try to tell them that you have just got to perform in your game.
"If they can do that consistently, they'll grab the number one, but I do not feel one of them has taken that number one role yet."
Czech Republic v Wales
Women's World Cup qualifying
Tuesday, 3 March at 17:30 GMT
City Stadium, Uherske Hradiste
Watch live on BBC Two Wales and iPlayer from 17:15 GMT; radio commentary on BBC Sounds via BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru; text commentary and match highlights on BBC Sport website and app.
Leicester City's Clark, 24, has had more experience at both club and international level than 21-year-old Middleton-Patel, of Manchester United.
Rugby Borough keeper Poppy Soper is also in the current Wales squad, but Clark and Middleton-Patel have shared goalkeeping duties since Wilkinson took charge two years ago.
Middleton-Patel played in Wales' most recent game, a friendly win over Switzerland in December, with Clark lining up against South Korea in the other fixture during that camp.
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At last summer's European Championship, Clark started two of Wales' games with Middleton-Patel playing in the other.
Clark has had more opportunities to impress overall, with the former FC Twente player starting 18 of Wilkinson's 24 games as Wales boss and Middleton-Patel beginning in the other six.
The frustration for Wilkinson is that neither player is a regular at club level.
"Liv's got a few starts, Saf's got a few starts. It's a problem I know with the men's team as well," she added.
"Both of them have had moments with their clubs, but we do not have solid starters."
After taking on the Czech Republic, Wales play their second Group B1 qualifying game against Montenegro in Llanelli next Saturday, meaning Clark and Middleton-Patel can expect game time in this international window.
