Australian captain Lisa De Vanna will return to the W-League to boost ladder-leading Canberra United’s star-studded attack.

The 117-cap striker will join the side on a seven-game deal during the US National Women’s Soccer League’s off-season, where she plays with Orlando Pride.

De Vanna, 32, will join Matildas team-mates Michelle Heyman and Ashleigh Sykes in Canberra’s forward line, with six regular-season rounds remaining before the finals in February.

After playing in every previous W-League campaign, De Vanna took a break that extended to this season following two taxing years which included World Cup and Olympics campaigns.

Fairfax Media reported she would be linking up with Canberra on Wednesday, but a club spokesman told AAP a debut in their next match on 28 December against Melbourne Victory was uncertain.

United surged to the top of the table following a 5-1 victory over fifth-placed Brisbane on Sunday.