Matildas name 23-player squad, including Mary Fowler, for SheBelieves Cup

A rejuvenated and in-form Mary Fowler has been named to return to the Matildas set-up after opting to withdraw from the side's most recent international window.

Fowler was rested from November's friendlies on home soil due to fatigue but is welcomed back to the fold for the SheBelieves Cup tournament in the United States later this month.

The extra time off appears to have done the 21-year-old Fowler a world of good, with the Manchester City striker netting three goals and registering four assists across her five games since the turn of the year.

As well as Fowler's return, interim coach Tom Sermanni has brought the experienced midfield duo of Clare Wheeler and Katrina Gorry back into his squad.

Melbourne City forward Holly McNamara has also earned a recall after a successful return to club football in the A-League Women (ALW) following anterior cruciate ligament surgery.

There is one debutant in Sermanni's squad with Brisbane Roar winger Laini Freier in line to win her first cap.

Freier has seven goals in 10 ALW games so far this season.

Interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni announcing the Australia squad for the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. (ABC News: Billy Cooper)

Australia will play Japan in their tournament opener on February 21 (AEDT) before facing the United States and Colombia later in the competition.

Matildas 23-player squad

Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold, Chloe Lincoln, Teagan Micah

Defenders: Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Charlotte Grant, Winonah Heatley, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Natasha Prior

Midfielders: Kyra Cooney-Cross, Daniela Galic, Katrina Gorry, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler, Tameeka Yallop

Attackers: Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Laini Freier, Michelle Heyman, Holly McNamara, Hayley Raso, Kaitlyn Torpey.

AAP

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