The Matildas have welcomed back star fullback Ellie Carpenter, thrusting her straight into the starting line-up against Scotland after her two-year international absence through injury.
The adventurous 22-year-old Lyon defender hasn't played for the national team since rupturing her ACL in their Women's Champions League final victory last year.
But almost two years since shining in her last Matildas outing in a win over New Zealand, Carpenter - one of the keys to a successful home World Cup - was drafted in by coach Tony Gustavsson to tackle the Scots at AFC Wimbledon's Plough Lane stadium on Friday.Â
She features in a largely experimental line-up, with Australia missing half-a-dozen important players through injury.
Claire Polkinghorne leads the side on her 155th appearance with Sam Kerr on the bench, presumably with Gustavsson preparing to save his superstar striker for the glamour match against England at Brentford on Tuesday, the key final overseas outing before the World Cup.
Western Sydney Wanderers' defender Clare Hunt has been chosen to make her international debut for the world's No.10-ranked side against the 23rd-ranked Scots, who feature their own star midfielder - a certain Sam Kerr.
