Kyah Simon hasn’t played since October when she tore knee ligaments. Alanna Kennedy has struggled with injuries since her last international appearance in September.
Both have named to play for co-host Australia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Coach Tony Gustavsson and captain Sam Kerr named the Matildas squad of 23 Monday at the end of a training camp on Australia’s Gold Coast at which the injured pair were given every possible opportunity to prove their fitness.
The preliminary squad of 29 pared down for Monday’s announcement, meaning heartbreak for six players. Among those to miss out was midfielder Chloe Logarzo who underwent a knee reconstruction and hasn’t played since January.
The squad includes seven players going to their first World Cup, while Clare Polkinghorne and Lydia Williams will be at their fifth.
“To announce this 23 players has been very exciting and also challenging,” said Gustavsson. He was an assistant coach for the United States at their World Cup triumphs in 2015 and 2019, and who will now try to lead Australia to victory on their home turf.
Simon seemed likely to miss a second consecutive World Cup through injury. She tore her anterior cruciate ligament when playing for Tottenham in October and and hasn’t played a competitive game since.