Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
The Matildas could be in line for two significant boosts ahead of their Women’s Asian Cup semifinal against China on Tuesday night, with star duo Steph Catley and Hayley Raso appearing close to returns.
Neither of the pair featured in Australia’s 2-1 win over North Korea at HBF Park on Friday night as they continued their comeback from concussion issues.
However, in the 15-minute window open to media on Monday morning training at Sam Kerr Football Centre, both Catley and Raso joined their teammates on track.
Catley and Raso both joined in the warm-up, giving the squad a full compliment of 26 players ahead of their last four clash with China at Optus Stadium.
It mark a significant upgrade from the pair’s involvement in the team’s previous matchday minus one training session, where they were kept aside from the main group.
The duo were restricted to walking laps and gentle run-throughs on Thursday ahead of the North Korea game — but both Catley and Raso donned boots and were fully involved in their early drills on Monday, suggesting a return to the matchday squad is imminent.
Raso copped two separate balls to the face from close range during Australia’s 4-0 win over Iran on the Gold Coast during the group stage and was removed from the game in the second half.
A few days later, Catley was on the receiving end of a high-velocity strike to the side of her head early in their 3-3 draw against South Korea, and although she returned to play, the left-back signalled for more attention and was substituted off not long after.
