Mary Fowler set for shock Matildas comeback just seven months after ACL injury
Australia coach Joe Montemurro also expects Sam Kerr to be fit and firing as they prepare to play Asian heavyweights South Korea, the Philippines and Iran in the group stage.
Manchester City forward Fowler is on target to return to action by November, less than seven months after injuring her knee in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United in April.
The 22-year-old was facing close to a year on the sidelines, in what shaped as a hammer blow to Australia's hopes of winning the Asian Cup.
But coach Montemurro says Fowler is progressing better than expected ahead of the March tournament.
'I spoke to her the other day and she's on track,' Montemurro said.
'She's in Sydney at the moment doing some running. So she'll join City, I think, in early October.
'She's looking good, and she should be hopefully back playing before November.'
Fowler had been in dynamic form for City, scoring 10 goals across all competitions, and underlined her ability with a starring role in Australia's recent international friendlies against South Korea.
'She's a special player and a special player not just for Australia but worldwide,' Montemurro said.
'She's that X-factor, and you need those X-factors in these tournaments.
'You need that player to unlock something at times and to have Mary involved will be really good.'
The short turnaround has impressed the football world, which is lauding City for the efficiency of their medical team.
'Insanely good track record for rehabs at Man City, genuinely an enviable medical team,' one fan said.
'Another patient of the magic hospital,' another added.
Montemurro is just as optimistic about striker Kerr's return for the continental tournament.
Unlike Fowler, Kerr's recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament tear has been prolonged.
The 31-year-old hasn't played since suffering the injury while training with English powerhouse Chelsea in January 2024.
Kerr had suffered another injury — not related to the ACL — that also required surgery, but has returned to pre-season training at Chelsea.
'It was important that she didn't jump straight into pre-season. It was important that there was a build,' Montemurro said.
'Hopefully, by the end of pre-season, she'll be at the level with everyone else and then she's up for game time, so everything's tracking positively.'
Australia will kick off their bid for a second Asian Cup trophy when they host the Philippines in the opening match at Perth's Optus Stadium on March 1.
The Matildas will then play on Iran at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on March 5, before facing South Korea at Sydney's Accor Stadium on March 8.
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