Matildas youngster Mary Fowler will play against world No 1 USA in Australia’s glamour friendly with the world champions on Friday (AEDT), but three experienced players have been sidelined with injury.

Vice captain Steph Catley, defender Laura Alleway and forward Chloe Logarzo won’t line up for the Matildas in Colorado, the most important lead-in fixture for Australia ahead of June’s World Cup. Coach Ante Milicic said he “wouldn’t be risking” the trio, who brought minor injuries into camp and haven’t recuperated.

“We have a duty of care towards them, especially being so close to a World Cup. But it’s an opportunity to [other] players ... to show themselves against the best team in the world,” Milicic said.

Fowler, 16, is the player upon whom most eyes will be trained. The dynamic forward stepped away from the national team after three promising 2018 hit-outs under Alen Stajcic but is back in the fold and pushing to become Australia’s youngest attendee – male or female – at a World Cup.

“She is an extremely explosive athlete. She’s very mature for her age, very good back to goal, very good left foot and right foot and she is a genuine finisher,” Milicic said. “[Fowler has] settled into the group really well, happy how she has been around the team and conducted herself. She will get game time tomorrow and that’s important because what she has shown at training has been very positive.”

Alleway’s injury opens the door for Elizabeth Ralston to make her Matildas debut, while Logarzo will be disappointed to miss another chance to impress after injury ruled the Sydney FC title-winner out of last month’s Cup of Nations.

Logarzo scored for Australia against the USA in last year’s 1-1 draw in East Hartford. In their previous meeting, Tameka Butt scored the only goal to secure Australia’s first win over the powerhouse of the women’s game.

“They’re a very good side. They’re the [World Cup] favourites for a reason, they’re the defending world champions,” Milicic said. “We know it’s going to be a tough game, not only in terms of our quality and tactical but physically in the conditions.

“These are the games that you want leading into a World Cup. By the time hopefully we play the US again the following time, deeper in the tournament, we’ll be in a very good place.”