Matildas vice-captain Steph Catley has undergone hamstring surgery, continuing her nightmare injury run since joining English club Arsenal.
The star left-back has been limited to just a handful of appearances since joining the English Women's Super League powerhouse on a two-year deal in July, predominantly due to calf injuries.
Arsenal confirmed Catley had suffered a hamstring injury in training before Christmas and having successfully undergone surgery, was now in rehabilitation.
"It's hard to put into words how hard the last few weeks have been," Catley wrote on Instagram.
"After giving everything I have to get back stronger after my calf injury, this hamstring was almost impossible to comprehend.
"As a footballer I just want to play and be out on the field helping my teammates, so it's been hard not being able to do that.
"Looking forward, the surgery was a success and I'm ready to come back stronger mentally and physically."
Catley initially suffered a calf injury in pre-season but debuted for Arsenal in the Women's Champions League in August.
She started for the Gunners on her WSL debut but was concussed in her second appearance against West Ham in September - then didn't feature again until early December due to another calf injury.
The 26-year-old made just two WSL appearances in December before suffering her hamstring injury.
Catley's Matildas and Arsenal teammates Caitlin Foord and Lydia Williams are due to return to FAWSL action on Sunday (local time) against Reading, after last week's clash with West Ham was postponed due to COVID-19 cases at the club.
Australian Associated Press
