Matildas v Slovenia LIVE updates: Sam Kerr poses for photos with fans as Montemurro prepares for first match as coach

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Wheeler withdrawal adds to missing list of Matildas

By Kayla Olaya

Matildas midfielder Clare Wheeler has withdrawn from tonight’s match due to personal reasons.

Wheeler arrived in Perth earlier this week to train but had to withdraw yesterday, forcing coach Joe Montemurro to put a call in to Chloe Berryhill and Jessika Nash to bring them into camp as her replacements.

Clare Wheeler has withdrawn from the Matildas clash tonight.Credit: Getty Images

The loss comes as the already slimming Matildas side has three of its stars out with injury – Sam Kerr (ACL), Mary Fowler (knee) and Tameka Yallop (leg).

Meanwhile, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry and Cortnee Vine are also out of tonight’s game on personal leave.

With AAP

Matildas starting XI: Carpenter to lead, Micah in goals

Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has named Ellie Carpenter as captain in his starting XI, while veterans Alanna Kennedy and Emily van Egmond are also starting on the pitch.

Sam Kerr makes surprise appearance at Matildas camp

Superstar striker Sam Kerr will make a surprise cameo at Matildas training for the next fortnight, but her return-to-play timeline still remains a mystery.

Kerr hasn’t played since tearing her anterior cruciate ligament while training with English powerhouse Chelsea 17 months ago.

A normal recovery timeline for a knee reconstruction is nine-to-12 months, but it was recently revealed Kerr had suffered another injury – not related to the ACL – that also required surgery.

The exact nature of that injury is yet to be detailed, and her return-to-fitness schedule also remains unclear.

Kerr wasn’t named in the Matildas squad for the June/July FIFA Women’s international window, but she will link up with her Matildas teammates as they prepare for two games against Slovenia and two games against Panama.

AAP

Have your say: who wins tonight?

Welcome

Good evening soccer fans, and welcome to our live coverage of the Matildas match against Slovenia in Perth tonight.

It’s just a friendly match tonight, but it’s our first chance to see new head coach Joe Montemurro in action, and get an indication of the style of play he wants the team to implement.

Kick-off is 9pm AEST, 7pm WST if you’re in Western Australia.