WALES manager Jayne Ludlow has insisted Rodney Parade is the “right place” for her team to call their home, as the Newport venue gets ready to host a record-breaking crowd next Thursday.

With 1,200 tickets already sold for the clash with the Czech Republic in Newport, more people than ever before will attend a Wales women’s friendly.

The last time Wales turned out at the 142-year-old ground was seven months ago when Ludlow’s side fell at the final hurdle in their bid to reach this year’s World Cup finals.

Since that 3-0 defeat by England, Wales have failed to score in another five games, losing three and drawing two.

Wales play New Zealand in June before starting their Euro 2021 qualifying campaign in the Faroe Islands at the end of August.

On returning to Rodney Parade for next week’s encounter, Ludlow, speaking at Cardiff City Stadium, said: “It gives us what we need right now, it’s a great venue for us.

“It has worked so far with regards to the girls stepping on the pitch and performing well.

“When you look at the number of people we can get in that environment, it works as well.

“We’re not going to fill a stadium like we have here, so it’s important we get an environment that creates the positive and supportive environment that’s going to help the girls do well on the pitch.

“We believe Rodney Parade is the right place.”

When asked if there will be any hangover from that loss to England, she added: “I don’t think so.

“We’re thinking forwards and focusing on the teams in the qualifying campaign we’re coming up against.

“We look at Rodney Parade as a home and we want to do well there.

“That’s going to be the overriding thought when the girls step into that changing room next Thursday.”

If she plays, Loren Dykes will become only the second Welsh player to win 100 international caps after teammate Jess Fishlock.

Meanwhile, Ludlow has paid tribute to the character of captain Sophie Ingle, who has had to cope with the death of her father.

"It's obviously going to impact our camp," said Ludlow.

"We have a challenge ahead of us as a group to balance the sadness that one of our main players is going through right now and make sure we support her through that.

"Then, on the other hand, we have a celebration to make sure we do Loren proud and make sure this event is an event that matches what this is for her.

"I want the team to step on the pitch and play in a style and in a manner that is going to be relevant to what she has achieved, so I want them to go out on there and compete and win the game for her."

She added: "It's been a very difficult time for Sophie in particular over the last week.

"So with that in mind you consider she stepped on a Champions League quarter-final pitch twice since this happened and from all accounts has been one of the best players on the pitch.

"I think that tells you about our national team captain."

Ludlow has recalled FAW Young Player of the Year Elise Hughes and Tottenham Hotspur defender Anna Filbey to the squad after injury.

Wales squad: Laura O’Sullivan (Cardiff City), Olivia Clark (Nettleham), Sophie Ingle (Chelsea), Hayley Ladd (Birmingham City), Loren Dykes (Bristol City), Gemma Evans (Bristol City), Cori Williams (Cardiff City), Ffion Morgan (Cardiff City), Anna Filbey (Tottenham Hotspur), Chloe Lloyd (Cardiff City), Angharad James (Everton), Jess Fishlock (Olympique Lyonnais), Kylie Nolan (Cardiff City), Elise Hughes (Everton), Grace Horrell (Cardiff City), Megan Wynne (Tottenham Hotspur), Helen Ward (Watford), Kayleigh Green (Brighton), Natasha Harding (Reading), Charlie Estcourt (Reading).