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.