<\/p>\n
Matilda Holly McNamara is set for a return to Melbourne City’s A-League Women side after being sidelined by an ACL injury for almost a year.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old attacker scored four goals in eight games and was named the league’s 2021-22 young player of the year, before injuring herself against Sydney FC in February last year.<\/p>\n
Twelve months on, McNamara is in line for her A-League comeback when third-placed City take on the Jets at Newcastle Sportsground on Saturday.<\/p>\n
“The Mac is back,” City coach Dario Vidosic said on Friday.<\/p>\n
“She’s ready for Newcastle. She’s got the green light for tomorrow and we’re really looking forward to the weekend and watching her play.”<\/p>\n
McNamara’s clean bill of health gives Vidosic a welcome selection headache, with Chile striker Maria Rojas returning from international duty after the disappointment of missing out on World Cup qualification.<\/p>\n
Rojas scored as Chile lost 2-1 to underdogs Haiti in February’s World Cup intercontinental play-off final in New Zealand.<\/p>\n
“We were Chile’s number one supporter for that game, we were all glued to the screen,” Vidosic said.<\/p>\n
“We gave her a couple of days off, and our other internationals … to give them a little break and mentally just to refresh.”<\/p>\n
Vidosic said he felt lucky to be able to call on a full squad after a raft of injuries that have marred their season.<\/p>\n
“It’s a good headache to have. Unfortunately we haven’t had the chance to (select) from a 100 per cent fit squad all season,” he said.<\/p>\n
The Jets are coming off a 6-0 thrashing by ladder-leaders Western United last weekend and will be hoping to claw back some ground having won only one of their last seven games and conceding 23 goals in the process.<\/p>\n
United were 4-0 up by halftime in that match, with Newcastle contesting most of the game with 10 players after defender Emily Garnier was sent off in the 18th minute.<\/p>\n
The Jets, sitting 10th on the ladder, face a defensive challenge on Saturday, with Garnier and fellow defender Taren King unavailable due to suspension.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n