Ellie Carpenter - “I feel stronger, faster, better than before."

Ellie Carpenter has been named in the 24-player CommBank Matildas squad to take on Scotland and England in April, her first appearance in a national team squad in almost 10 months.

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“I was very excited to be called back into national team,” the 22-year old shared.

“After my injury I’ve had some good months here with Lyon building my match fitness, so I feel ready to put back on the green and gold and play at international level. I’m very excited to be back in the team and to see everyone again after such a long time.”

The wing back injured her ACL in the UEFA Champions League final last year. She remained positive that she would complete her rehab before the end of the season, with one major goal in mind.

“Being away from the national team for so long, it gives you that extra drive and that extra hunger to get back in,” she explained.
 

“Obviously, it’s a World Cup year. That was a massive motivation for me throughout my injury, to keep thinking that there is such a big goal at the end of this. I really want to be there with the team to help achieve our goals.

“It’s such a competitive team at the moment and I’m just really excited to get back in and start working with everyone.”

Carpenter has spent her time in rehab becoming mentally and physically stronger for the challenges that lie ahead of her in her career.

“I don’t think I’ve worked so hard in my life, honestly, through my rehab,” she said.

“It’s something that I’m sure all people going through long injuries know or have been through. It’s very hard but at the end you’re so much better for it.


“I feel stronger, faster, better than before. I think it was a great time off as well, just working on myself to be better. I feel almost refreshed - I feel like a refreshed Ellie.”

Having played 90 minutes several times since her injury for her club Lyon, Carpenter’s focus heading into the camp is contributing to the CommBank Matildas as best she can.

“My personal focus is to bring my form and what I am now into camp,” she said.

“I know the girls have been working so great over the last 10 months. Everyone is in really great form. At the last tournament - the Cup of Nations at home - the girls were amazing.

“I’m just trying to bring what I can bring to the team. It’s just who I am, Ellie. I’m just trying to get back in and around the team, get the feel again.

“Obviously it’s been so long, you kind of forget what to do a little bit! I’m just trying to bring Ellie back and see how that goes. I’m very excited.”

See the full squad! 

COMMBANK MATILDAS MATCH SCHEDULE | APRIL 2023

CommBank Matildas v Scotland
Date: Fri, 7 April 2023
Venue: Cherry Red Records Stadium, London
Kick-Off: 1.15 pm (local) / 10.15 pm (AEST)
Broadcast:  Network 10 and Paramount+
Tickets are available here

England v CommBank Matildas
Date: Tues, 11 April 2023 (local) / Wed, 12 April (AEST)
Venue: Brentford Community Stadium, London
Kick-Off: 7:45 pm (local) / 4:45 am (AEST)
Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+