Matildas midfielder Clare Wheeler to miss Joe Montemurro's debut against Slovenia

Everton midfielder Clare Wheeler has become the latest Matildas squad member to be ruled out of the current international window ahead of Joe Montemurro's debut as head coach.

Wheeler arrived in Perth earlier this week but on Wednesday withdrew from the squad due to personal reasons.

ABC Sport will be live blogging the Matildas' friendly against Slovenia on Thursday evening.

Chloe Berryhill and Jessika Nash have since been added to the Matildas squad.

Striker Sam Kerr is in camp but still recovering from the ACL rupture she suffered more than 17 months ago.

Mary Fowler (knee) and Tameka Yallop (leg) are also out injured, while Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry and Cortnee Vine are all on personal leave.

Montemurro will get his first taste of life in the Matildas hot seat when he takes the reins for Thursday night's friendly with Slovenia in Perth.

The teams will lock horns again on Sunday, before the Matildas face Panama in Bunbury on July 5 and in Perth on July 8.

The four matches mark an important building block for Montemurro as he attempts to bed down a new game plan ahead of next year's Asian Cup in Australia, which begins on March 1.

Joe Montemurro will debut as Matildas head coach against Slovenia. (AAP Photos: Dean Lewins)

Montemurro enjoyed successful coaching stints at Arsenal, Juventus and Lyon.

He wants to implement an attacking, possession-based style at the Matildas, who have slipped to 15th on the world rankings.

"It's the official start of our build-up for the Asian Cup," Montemurro said on Wednesday.

"Yes, I am looking at a lot of players. Yes, I am trying to instil some language. Yes, I am trying to instil some new ideas.

"But the approach to the game is still the same … it's a game that we want to win."

Defender Ellie Carpenter played under Montemurro at Lyon and was thrilled when he landed the top job at the Matildas.

"I think we're going to really thrive under Joe," Carpenter said.

"You can see already, by day three we've implemented a new style of play, a new rhythm.

"Joe's really experienced internationally. He's coached at the biggest clubs and I think the most important thing that he's implemented so far is possession-based football.

"I think we're very capable of doing that."

AAP

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