Matildas gamble on Mary Fowler’s fitness as Women’s Asian Cup squad named

• Sam Kerr among 26 players selected but injured Charli Grant misses out

• Australia open tournament against Philippines in Perth on 1 March

The Matildas have backed Mary Fowler to return to fitness for the Women’s Asian Cup despite the star attacker playing just 15 minutes since returning from a serious knee injury.

Australia head coach Joe Montemurro selected Fowler among 26 players for the tournament on home soil despite her falling well short of the three 90-minute matches he said in November that he hoped she would have played before the squad was named.