Former Tottenham player Kyah Simon is amongst the names on Australia’s 29-women preliminary roster for the upcoming Women’s World Cup despite an eight-month hiatus from the game.
Simon, a forward, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear in October while serving for Tottenham.
Now at 31, she was unable to participate in the 2019 World Cup due to an ankle injury.
The final selection of 23 players for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, will be unveiled by coach Tony Gustavsson at a later date.
Simon, with 111 international caps to her name, was let go by Tottenham on June 2.
The preliminary team includes nine players from the Women’s Super League, featuring stars such as Sam Kerr from Chelsea, Alanna Kennedy from Manchester City, and Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord.
Courtney Nevin, who spent the 2022/23 season on loan to Leicester City from Hammarby, is also in the mix.
Australia is in Group B and will face the Republic of Ireland in their first match on July 20, followed by games against Nigeria and Canada.
Australia’s Preliminary Roster
Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham), Teagan Micah (Rosengard), Jada Whyman (Sydney FC), Lydia Williams (Brighton).
Defenders: Ellie Carpenter (Lyon), Steph Catley (Arsenal), Charlotte Grant (Vittsjo GIK), Clare Hunt (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alanna Kennedy (Manchester City), Aivi Luik (BK Hacken), Courtney Nevin (Leicester City on loan from Hammarby), Clare Polkinghorne (Vittsjo GIK).
Midfielders: Alex Chidiac (Racing Louisville), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Hammarby IF), Katrina Gorry (Vittsjo GIK), Chloe Logarzo (Western Logarzo), Amy Sayer (Stanford University), Emily van Egmond (San Diego Wave), Clare Wheeler (Everton), Tameka Yallop (SK Brann).
Forwards: Larissa Crummer (SK Brann), Caitlin Foord (Arsenal), Mary Fowler (Manchester City), Emily Gielnik (Free agent), Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Hayley Raso (Free agent), Remy Siemsen (Leicester City), Kyah Simon (Free agent), Cortnee Vine (Sydney FC).
