Just over eight months after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament, Matildas star Ellie Carpenter has made her competitive football return with French club Olympique Lyonnais in a welcome boost to her Women's World Cup hopes.
Last May, less than 15 minutes into her first Champions League final start, the 22-year-old twisted awkwardly in the grass and immediately grabbed the inside of her left knee before being stretchered off the field in tears.
There was little certainty around the timeline of Carpenter's return following reconstructive surgery, with Lyon team-mate and former Ballon D'Or winner Ada Hegerberg taking almost two years to return to the field following three operations and numerous setbacks.
But the Cowra-born defender appears to have had a much smoother rehabilitation process, posting regular progress updates on social media over the past several months.
She was then included in Lyon's match-day squad ahead of their away trip to Rodez in France's Division 1 Feminin this weekend before coming on as a substitute for French captain Wendie Renard in the 63rd minute.
Her return to action has delighted Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson, who has regularly name-checked the right-back as someone who, when fit, is one of the best defenders in the world and a regular starter for Australia.
However, given Carpenter is still easing her way back to match fitness, Gustavsson decided to leave her out of his recent Cup Of Nations squad, preferring instead that she stays in an environment where she can continue to progress ahead of the Women's World Cup this July.
"First of all, I'm so happy for her because I know how much she put in [during] rehab," Gustavsson said earlier this week.
"She's been amazing when it comes to how professional she's been. I had the privilege to have a coffee with her, actually, here in Australia recently when she was back home for a little bit. She's very, very committed to coming back — not just fit, but in form as well.
"Lyon and my [sports medicine] team have done a phenomenal job when it comes to supporting Ellie in that process, as well. I'm really happy for her to see her running, but also I know she's in 'ball work' now to get some touches on the ball, and she loves that."
There are just three international windows left until the World Cup, meaning few opportunities for Carpenter to reintegrate into the squad.
While she will miss the upcoming Cup Of Nations tournament in New South Wales, which will see Australia take on Czechia, Spain, and Jamaica, she could be recalled to camp in April for what ABC understands will be a pair of friendlies in Europe.
There will be a third and final window in early July, where it's expected the Matildas will play a pre-tournament friendly in Melbourne as preparation for the World Cup, which kicks off on July 20.
As confirmed by FIFA last week, their opening group-stage match against Republic of Ireland on the first match-day has been moved to the 83,500-seat Stadium Australia in Sydney due to overwhelming ticket demand.
Australia will then face Nigeria in Brisbane on July 27 before meeting Olympic gold medallists Canada in Melbourne on July 31.
As a result of the stadium move, FIFA will open an additional ticket window at midday on February 24, with one final window opening on April 11, 100 days before the first game.
