REVEALED: Montemurro's first Matildas squad for WA stint
A raft of familiar faces are set to head west for the Matildas' four-game series in WA, but several stars have been rested from Joe Montemurro's inaugural squad as coach.
The Montemurro era has begun, with the former Arsenal, Juventas and Olympique Lyonnais coach naming 33 players for the first squad of his reign.
However, the Matildas' historic clash in Bunbury will come without more than a handful of big names, with the expanded squad set to be somewhat split between the twin two-game series against Slovenia and Panama.
With Sam Kerr still absent as she continues her recovery from a torn ACL, Arsenal stars Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord and midfielder Katrina Gorry are all on personal leave and will not take part in the series, while Tameka Yallop is also injured and Cortnee Vine remains on extended leave.
Domestic season commitments, individual management and strategic planning means only 13 players will be available for all four matches.
Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Alanna Kennedy, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Clare Wheeler are the biggest names to only be available for the first two games against Slovenia in Perth.
On the plus side, Hayley Raso, Emily van Egmond, Clare Hunt, Charli Grant, Teagan Micah, Courtney Nevin, Alex Chidiac and Amy Sayer will be available for all four matches. Ellie Carpenter will play the first two games in WA. Credit: DeFodi Images / DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Sharn Freier marks her return with her inclusion after missing out previously due to injury and A-League Women's stars Michelle Heyman, Emily Gielnik, Holly McNamara, Chloe Berryhill (nee Logarzo), Natasha Prior and Alana Murphy have all been included.
One-time Perth Glory attacker Jacynta Galabadaarachchi has been named in the squad for the first time in three years, but there was no call-up for ex-Glory goalkeeper and Perth product Morgan Aquino — although another former Glory shot-stopper in Sally James did get the nod.
There are five uncapped players in the squad (Galabadaarachchi, Jada Whyman, Adriana Taranto, Grace Kuilamu and Alexia Apostolakis) and 16 players with fewer than 10 caps.
Matildas players available only for Slovenia games at HBF Park on June 26 and June 29
Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Sharn Freier, Winonah Heatley, Alanna Kennedy, Remy Siemsen, Kaitlyn Torpey, Clare Wheeler, Jada Whyman.
Matildas players available only for Panama games at Hands Oval on July 5 and at HBF Park on July 8
Alexia Apostolakis, Chloe Berryhill, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, Bryleeh Henry, Grace Kuilamu, Sally James, Chloe Lincoln, Jessika Nash, Adriana Taranto.
Matildas players available for all four games
Alex Chidiac, Emily Gielnik, Charli Grant, Michelle Heyman, Clare Hunt, Holly McNamara, Teagan Micah, Alana Murphy, Courtney Nevin, Natasha Prior, Jamilla Rankin, Hayley Raso, Amy Sayer, Emily van Egmond.
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