Sheehan to captain Wales in Gibraltar friendly

Josh Sheehan will captain Wales for the first time in only his sixth international appearance when they face Gibraltar in Thursday’s friendly.

Wales are expected to field a young and inexperienced team for the match in Portugal, with manager Rob Page set to hand debuts to several players.

Bolton Wanderers midfielder Sheehan, 29, has never started a game for Wales but will lead a much-changed team against Gibraltar – ranked 203 in the world – as first-choice players are rested for Sunday’s friendly in Slovakia.

Thursday’s match at Estadio Algarve in Faro will be Wales’ first since missing out on qualification for Euro 2024 after losing their play-off final at home to Poland on penalties in March.

There are six uncapped players in this squad, including Lewis Koumas – the 18-year-old Liverpool striker and son of former Wales midfielder Jason – and 17-year-old Leeds United midfielder Charlie Crew.

Coventry City’s Jay Dasilva and fellow defender Fin Stevens, who has impressed on loan with Oxford United from Brentford, Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Tom King and Matt Baker – a Stoke City defender who spent last season on loan at Newport County – are the other players hoping to earn their first caps.

Wales are without a number of senior players such as captain Aaron Ramsey, goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, full-back Neco Williams and midfielders David Brooks and Harry Wilson.

The match against Gibraltar, who Wales beat 4-0 last October, is an ideal chance for Page to experiment before facing Slovakia, who have qualified for Euro 2024, in Trnava on Sunday.