THE Football Association of Wales has announced that Jayne Ludlow has signed a four-year contract extension as manager of the women’s national team.

Since taking charge in 2015, Ludlow has been responsible for taking Wales to their highest ever placing in the FIFA Women’s rankings with the side potentially one game away from reaching the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time as they face England at Rodney Parade on August 31.

On the playing field, Ludlow won her first international cap as a 17-year-old in 1996 and played 61 times, scoring 19 goals.

She represented Arsenal for 13 years, winning the 2007 UEFA Women’s Cup and became Arsenal’s all-time record goal scorer.

Born in Llwynypia, she has also played for Barry Town Ladies, Millwall Lionesses and Southampton Saints.

Jonathan Ford, Chief Executive of the FAW, said: “We are extremely delighted to see Jayne extend her tenure as the National Team Manager. She has been key in the development of Women’s football in Wales and her hard work with the national side has ensured a positive future for the game in Wales.”

Following her appointment, Ludlow said: “I am so proud to be managing the national team, it’s a great honour.

“The challenges that we have ahead of us in terms of next year’s World Cup and beyond excite me a great deal as we aim to get Wales to a major tournament for the first time.”

Ludlow today named her squad for the crunch qualifier against England.

Ludlow’s side are currently unbeaten in the campaign and go into the sell-out game against Phil Neville’s side at Rodney Parade without conceding a goal.

Captain Sophie Ingle will lead a squad that includes the experience of Jess Fishlock, Natasha Harding and Angharad James, while Kayleigh Green is selected after scoring four goals in the campaign so far. Unfortunately Charlie Estcourt misses out as she recovers from a knee injury.

Ludlow has included several youngsters in the squad, including under-19 regular Ffion Morgan who has recovered from a recent ACL injury.

Meanwhile Peyton Vincze will be travelling from Oklahoma to join up with the squad for the first time since the side’s goalless draw away to Russia last October.