Free agent Wales players put themselves in shop window

Elise Hughes and Hannah Cain during Wales' draw in Montenegro
Forwards Elise Hughes (left) and Hannah Cain (right) scored eight of Wales' 17 goals in their Women's World Cup qualifying group [FAW]

Rhian Wilkinson says Wales' free-agent internationals gave potential suitors a glimpse of their qualities by helping her team finish top of their Women's World Cup qualifying group.

Gemma Evans, Hannah Cain and Elise Hughes all featured against both Montenegro and the Czech Republic amid uncertainty over their club futures.

It has since emerged that defender Evans is in line to join Newcastle United after leaving Liverpool, but there is no news yet on what the future holds at club level for either Cain or fellow forward Hughes.

"I think they've done everything they can to put themselves in the shop window," said Wales head coach Wilkinson.

Cain, 27, scored her sixth goal in six World Cup qualifying games in Montenegro, just three days after announcing that she is leaving Leicester City this summer following their relegation from the Women's Super League (WSL).

Fellow striker Hughes, 25, revealed in the lead-up to Tuesday's crucial win over the Czechs that she is departing Crystal Palace having helped them win promotion to the WSL.

Another Wales forward, Tianna Teisar, is also currently without a club.

Bristol City Women announced in May that the 20-year-old academy product would be leaving the club this summer, having spent last season on loan at Plymouth Argyle.

Wilkinson says she has to accept that waiting to discover where some members of her squad will end up is part of "life at the end of the season".

"It's tough because I want my players to be in the best possible situations at club [level] and equally in situations that are nurturing them and supporting them," she added.

"I hope very much I can give them any support possible to make sure that they have a club as soon as it works for them."

Wales will return to action in October, when they will play a two-legged play-off semi-final as they bid to reach a first Women's World Cup.

Wilkinson's side will discover their opponents in that tie when the draw takes place on 18 June.