Mary Fowler withdraws from Matildas friendlies against Brazil and Chinese Taipei

Matildas star Mary Fowler has pulled out of Australia’s friendlies against Brazil and Chinese Taipei to focus on her mental and physical health.

Fowler withdrew from interim Matildas boss Tom Sermanni’s extended squad on Sunday, just days after World Cup hero Cortnee Vine made herself unavailable for similar reasons.

The Matildas will also be without Katrina Gorry (shoulder) and Clare Wheeler (leg) after the midfielders suffered injuries playing for their clubs.

A replacement for Fowler has yet to be made, with the first of four matches in the international window to be played against Brazil in Brisbane on Thursday night.

Manchester City forward Fowler, who looms as the future of the Matildas’ attack, will instead spend November and December in Australia with family. City’s next match for the Women’s Super League is scheduled for December 8.

“Playing for the national team is something that I never take for granted. It’s an incredible honour to represent Australia every time I put the jersey on,” Fowler said in a statement via Football Australia.

“I have, however, through past experiences, come to realise that my mind and my body are also things that I should also never take for granted.”

She said playing through an “increasingly demanding schedule” in the past few months had been “exciting but at times also challenging”, but she knew she needed to rest her mind as much as her body.

“Therefore, I’ve decided to take this time to prioritise recovery in order to refresh both mentally and physically, so that I can continue to put my best self forward for both club and country,” Fowler continued.

“I really appreciate everyone’s support and understanding, and I hope to see you all soon.”

Fowler’s late exit leaves the Matildas’ squad at 33 players for the international window, as no additional players to be called up at this stage.

Interim coach Sermanni could also be without A-League Women midfielders Isabel Gomez and Hana Lowry after the duo suffered injuries in their respective club matches.

Central Coast player Gomez is yet to discover the extent of her right leg injury after a collision in their draw with Melbourne Victory on Saturday, while Sydney FC’s Lowry suffered a knee injury just hours before Fowler withdrew from the squad.

Sermanni will at least have Natasha Prior for selection after the Newcastle Jets defender was cleared of a serious ankle injury to join the Matildas training camp.

Veteran striker Michelle Heyman sent a scare through the Canberra United and Matildas camps after she appeared to suffer an injury in the ALW match against Perth Glory.

The midfielder clutched her ankle immediately following a contest in front of Glory’s goal but was able to return to the game.

Australia will play Brazil at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday and at Cbus Super Stadium on December 1, and meet Taiwan in Victoria on December 4 and 7.