Eight of the Westfield Matildas’ overseas-based stars will return for the upcoming internationals against New Zealand in early June following today’s 20-player squad announcement by Head Coach Alen Stajcic.

Steph Catley, Elise Kellond-Knight, Kyah Simon, Emily van Egmond and Lydia Williams are a just some of the big names that will fly back from their overseas clubs to be available for the Westfield Matildas’ official farewell matches in Ballarat (4 June) and Melbourne (7 June) ahead of the Rio Games.

“I keep in touch with them regularly to see how they’re going so we’re well on top of how they’re progressing with their clubs and it will be good to have them back,” said Stajcic of the overseas based players.

Tickets for both matches are on sale now

Teams competing in the Rio women’s football tournament can only name squads of 18 players (which includes two goalkeepers) giving Stajcic some tough selection decisions to make over the next month.

“This squad will obviously contain a lot of the players that will head to Rio but it’s certainly not 100 per cent finalised yet,” said Stajcic.

“There’s still a chance for players to put their hand up and again we’re trying to increase the depth of the team so we can be as competitive as we can internally and on the international stage as well.”

Sydney FC defender Teigen Allen is the only player named in the squad who was not part of the Westfield Matildas’ successful AFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 qualifiers in Japan back in March, the 22 year olds last appearance for the Westfield Matildas coming back in 2014.

“Teigen has certainly improved over the last 12 months so she’s starting to get back to the standard she was at a few years ago which is pleasing, so this is a chance for her and now it’s up to her to take it with both hands,” said Stajcic.

One key player missing is Samantha Kerr, the dynamic forward still on the comeback from injury that kept her out of the qualifiers.

“Sam Kerr had a minor bit of surgery two weeks ago and hopefully she’ll be returning to playing in the next few weeks,” said Stajcic.

“Time is getting tight for her but if everything goes well she’ll definitely be in contention for one of the spots.”

Stajcic knows the camp, which will be based predominantly in Ballarat, from 30 May until 8 June and will include the two matches against the Football Ferns, will be invaluable to the team’s Rio preparations.

“This is actually the only time we’ll be together as a full squad prior to arriving in Brazil so I’m really happy to have the whole squad together and it makes this camp even more precious and the two matches against a quality opponent even more important,” said Stajcic.

“Being the only two matches we play before we head over to Brazil, these two hit outs against New Zealand are extremely important. We’re very fortunate that we’ve got a world class opponent on our door step and we’re thankful they are coming over for the two matches.”

The Westfield Matildas’ visit to Ballarat is already generating huge interest in the region with the team having received numerous requests and expressions of interest from local schools and football clubs.

The Westfield Matildas are set to attend a host of community engagements and outings during their six day stay in the regional Victorian city which include heading to some local clubs on Tuesday 31 May and a visit to selected schools on Friday 3 June.

“We’ve had great support from the local council in Ballarat so we have to thank them for supporting us and the matches,” said Stajcic.

“When we were down there a couple of weeks ago we really got a good feel for the area and how much of a football loving public it is so we can’t wait to get down there and hopefully play in front of a sell out crowd.”

The players will begin arriving in Ballarat on Monday 30 May ahead of the first match against New Zealand at Morshead Park Stadium on Saturday 4 June 2016 before heading to Melbourne on 5 June for the double header with the Caltex Socceroos at Etihad Stadium.

Tickets for the match in Ballarat are just $15 for adults. Click here for details.

The Westfield Matildas’ two matches against New Zealand will be shown LIVE on FOX SPORTS and ABC TV.

The Westfield Matildas are scheduled to depart for Brazil on 5 July ahead of their opening match of the Rio Games against Canada on 3 August 2016.

Westfield Matildas squad for international matches against New Zealand

Name Date of Birth Position A International Caps (Goals) Teigen Allen 12/02/1994 Defender 37 (0) Laura Alleway 28/11/1989 Defender 43 (2) Mackenzie Arnold (gk) 25/02/1994 Goalkeeper 9 (0) Tameka Butt 16/06/1991 Midfielder 54 (7) Ellie Carpenter 28/04/2000 Defender 2 (0) Stephanie Catley 26/01/1994 Defender 47 (2) Caitlin Cooper 12/02/1988 Defender 5 (1) Larissa Crummer 10/01/1996 Forward 9 (1) Lisa De Vanna 14/11/1984 Forward 110 (38) Casey Dumont (gk) 25/01/1992 Goalkeeper 1 (0) Caitlin Foord 11/11/1994 Midfielder 43 (5) Katrina Gorry 13/08/1992 Midfielder 42 (13) Michelle Heyman 4/07/1988 Forward 46 (18) Elise Kellond-Knight 10/08/1990 Midfielder 69 (1) Alanna Kennedy 21/01/1995 Defender 41 (1) Chloe Logarzo 22/12/1994 Midfielder 6 (0) Clare Polkinghorne 1/02/1989 Defender 85 (6) Kyah Simon 25/06/1991 Forward 63 (19) Emily van Egmond 12/07/1993 Midfielder 52 (14) Lydia Williams (gk) 13/05/1988 Goalkeeper 52 (0)

Match Details

Westfield Matildas v New Zealand

Saturday 4 June 2016

Morshead Park Stadium, Ballarat

Kick-Off: 3:00pm AEST

LIVE on FOX SPORTS and ABC TV

Click here for ticketing details.

Westfield Matildas v New Zealand

Tuesday 7 June 2016

Etihad Stadium, Melbourne

Kick-Off: 5:00pm AEST

Click here for ticketing details.

Both matches will be LIVE on FOX SPORTS and ABC TV