Melbourne Victory star forward Emily Gielnik will make her long-awaited return to the Matildas squad for the team’s upcoming friendly against Mexico.
CommBank Matildas Katrina Gorry, Clare Hunt and Courtney Nevin have been ruled out of Australia’s upcoming training camp and international friendly against Mexico in the United States during the April FIFA Women’s International Window.
Gorry (ankle) was forced from the field during West Ham’s Women’s Super League clash on Sunday afternoon against Chelsea WFC. Meanwhile Paris Saint-Germain defender Hunt (foot) and Leicester City WFC defender Nevin (hip) were both unavailable for their respective club fixtures over the weekend due to injury.
The trio will remain in their club environments with no current return to play timelines set as further treatment evaluation continues.
In their place forward Emily Gielnik (Melbourne Victory FC), defender Winonah Heatley (FC Nordsjælland) and winger Sharn Freier (Brisbane Roar FC) have been called up the final squad.
Since returning to full fitness following a run of injuries, Gielnik has tallied seven goals and two assists in 12 A-League Women’s matches, with the second highest goals per minute record. With 57 international caps to her name, the forward earns a return to the national team for the first time since June 2023.
Having received her last call up in 2022, Denmark based Heatley returns off the back off two strong seasons with FC Nordsjælland including claiming the 2023 Danish Women’s Cup. The 22-year-old is currently one of the top defenders in the Elitedivisionen, leading the league in defensive interceptions, blocked shots and ball progressions, while second in the league for final third passes.
Freier has been one of the leading lights for the Roar during the A-League Women’s season with the winger recording three goals and five assists. The 22-year-old currently leads the competition in key chances created and is third in overall chances created. After successfully recovering from ACL injury a season ago, this marks Freier’s first senior national team call-up.
Australia will take on the current world number 31 at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, 9 April 2024 (local) with kick-off at 7.00pm CDT (10 April 2024 at 10.00am AEST) as they continue their preparations for Paris 2024.
The CommBank Matildas match against Mexico will air on Football Australia’s broadcast partner, Paramount ANZ.
Credit: Football Australia
