HER country may not be able to reach the women’s European Championship finals next year but Wales star Jess Fishlock knows just how important the rest of qualifying is for the future.

Wales will be looking to end their Group 8 campaign with a flourish when they host Israel and Austria at Rodney Parade tonight (7.05pm) and next Tuesday (6pm) respectively.

The best manager Jayne Ludlow’s team can do is third place after winning just two of their six matches to date.

But while the finals in the Netherlands are beyond them, the double-header in Newport is a chance for Ludlow to start planning ahead of qualifying for the 2019 World Cup in France.

“This is really important for us,” said Fishlock. “We’re going to have to look past the Euros now that we can’t qualify and look to the next campaign.

“These young girls are going to be huge players for that campaign so this is why these games are so important.

“It’s not just for them but for the whole group because we have to get used to them and they have to get used to the standard we want and the way Jayne wants us to play.

“We have got a good bunch of girls and good personalities, and it’s always a good camp.”

Wales played their last qualifier in Newport in June when they lost 2-0 to Norway at Spytty Park.

That defeat was Wales’ first in four competitive games – before that was a 2-2 draw in Israel sandwiched between a couple of 4-0 victories against Kazakhstan.

The draw against Israel in Ramat Gan last December could well have been a win but for a late equaliser.

Israel took the lead in the first half through Lee Sima Falkon, only for Natasha Harding to put Wales in front with a double after the break.

However, Rachel Shelina’s goal seven minutes from the end rescued a draw for the hosts, who sit bottom of Group 8 on two points.

Israel head into tonight’s clash on a three-match losing streak following defeats to Norway and Austria and a demoralising 1-0 reverse against Kazakhstan.

Austria lead the group from Norway on goal difference but have played one game more.