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Katrina Gorry recalled for Matildas friendlies vs. New Zealand

Katrina Gorry has been handed a recall to the Matildas set-up for the first time since the birth of her first child ahead of friendlies with New Zealand.

The Brisbane Roar midfielder hasn't played for the Australian national team since an Olympics qualifier against Thailand in February 2020 after she took a break from the game for the birth of her daughter.

Gorry takes the place of the injured Holly McNamara ahead of two games against the Football Ferns in Townsville and Canberra in April.

The 78-cap midfielder's call-up is the sole change to the side which was dumped out of the Asian Cup quarterfinals by eventual runners-up South Korea.

But the focus of coach Tony Gustavsson's call-ups will likely centre on the absentees 15 months out from a World Cup on home soil.

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Notably, there is no place for Melbourne Victory's Alex Chidiac after she won the club's player of the year award, was named in the PFA team of the year and helped secure back-to-back A-League Women titles for the club.

There is also no room for Sydney FC pair Mackenzie Hawkesby and Taylor Ray, while Melbourne City defender Winonah Heatley wasn't selected.

Victory's Courtney Nevin and Kyra Cooney-Cross join Gorry and Sydney duo Remy Siemsen and Cortnee Vine in a five-player contingent from the A-League Women.

Arsenal forward Caitlin Foord looks set to win her 100th cap in this window as she sits on 99 appearances for Australia.

"Naturally, we were all disappointed at how our Asian Cup campaign concluded in January," Gustavsson said.

"Following our technical review, these April internationals are an opportunity for us to start implementing the lessons we have learned from our experiences over the past 12 months."

The Matildas play the first of the two friendlies at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Friday, April 8.

Full Matildas squad:

Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold, Teagan Micah, Lydia Williams
Defenders: Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Charlotte Grant, Alanna Kennedy, Aivi Luik, Courtney Nevin, Clare Polkinghorne
Midfielders: Kyra Cooney-Cross, Emily van Egmond, Katrina Gorry, Clare Wheeler, Tameka Yallop
Forwards: Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Emily Gielnik, Sam Kerr, Hayley Raso, Remy Siemsen, Kyah Simon, Cortnee Vine

Full Football Ferns squad:

Goalkeepers: Lily Alfeld, Erin Nayler, Vic Esson
Defenders: Liz Anton, Katie Bowen, Claudia Bunge, Anna Green, Meikayla Moore, Ali Riley, Rebekah Stott, Ashleigh Ward
Midfielders: Olivia Chance, Daisy Cleverley, Betsy Hassett, Ria Percival, Malia Steinmetz
Forwards: Grace Jale, Ava Collins, Jacqui Hand, Gabi Rennie, Emma Rolston, Paige Satchell, Hannah Wilkinson
Training player: Ally Green

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