The driving force behind Harrison’s comeback from injury

Through all the countless hours of rehab and battling with the mental doubts from a second knee reconstruction, there was always something that kept Amy Harrison soldiering on.

She may be just 22 but Harrison has already had to deal with her fair share of ups and downs in her football career.

From the low of rupturing her ACL on two occasions, to the incredible high of wearing the green and gold shirt for the Westfield Matildas.

LOFTY GOAL: Harrison targeting World Cup berth after injury nightmare
HOW TO WATCH: The Westfield Matildas in the W-League in Round 8
CRUCIAL: How the Cup of Nations will help the Westfield Matildas
GET TICKETS: Click here to see your Westfield Matildas in action

Now back to full fitness and performing consistently with Sydney FC in the Westfield W-League, the midfielder/defender is now hoping to experience that high point yet again.

While the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France next yet is the main goal for Harrison, there’s also the opportunity to be involved in the inaugural Cup of Nations on home soil.

The Westfield Matildas will play Argentina, New Zealand and the Korea Republic in the four-nation tournament in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne next February/March.

“[It’s great] to play for your country at home and for family and friends, who probably don’t have the luxury to go and visit you wherever you playing overseas,” Harrison told Matildas.com.au.

“So to have it at home and everyone that supported you along the way in your home state or own country - you can’t explain that, it’s just crazy.”

The prospect playing in front of the home fans again must have been a strong motivating factor during Harrison’s recovery.

The Camden-born playmaker has been blown away by the support the Westfield Matildas have received whenever they have played at home in recent years.

Harrison was a part of the Westfield Matildas squad for the friendly series against Brazil last year, as record crowds flocked to Penrith and Newcastle to watch Alen Stajcic’s side in action.

“It was unbelievable the support that those two games drew was just amazing,” she said.

“We thought the prospect was going to happen but for it to actually happen and see it first-hand on the bus to the game, just everyone wearing Aussie jerseys.

“We even were late to the game because it was massive. We were stuck in traffic on the M4 at Penrith…it was unbelievable.

“It’s impossible to put into words,” Harrison added of playing for Australia.

“It’s just the proudest moment and something you never get sick of.”