Matildas drop 'keeper hint as star firms for return

Arnold did not take the field in the tournament opening 1-0 victory over the Philippines on Sunday with her calf complaint becoming the latest setback to hit Australia's goalkeeping stocks.

Teagan Micah (concussion) and Jada Whyman (knee) were both named in Montemurro's initial squad but later withdrew, forcing the Australia coach to turn to Brisbane Roar's Chloe Lincoln against the Filipinas. 

Arnold trained this week but Montemurro appeared to suggest he would hold the experienced 'keeper back for Sunday's meeting with South Korea, which is expected to decide the top of group A.

"Macca is fine, there's no real issues. They've both been training well," Montemurro told reporters. 

"It's really to just look forward now and see what we believe and think we need to get out of tomorrow night's game.

"(If) we play her (Arnold) on Thursday night, and then we look at the recovery. The recovery is tight."

The small turnaround is playing heavily into Montemurro's thinking as he juggles a squad that includes Mary Fowler, who is just a few games back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and captain Sam Kerr, who was seen with a heavily-bandaged left calf on the Gold Coast earlier this week. 

The Matildas coach said Fowler would "definitely be involved" against Iran. 

His tinkering could also open the door for Cooney-Cross to feature after missing a large chunk of last week's training.

The midfielder has barely played at club level with Arsenal after being given time away from football after Christmas following her mother's cancer diagnosis. 

"Kyra's good and she's back training with us, so we'll make a decision closer to match time," Montemurro said.

"Logic says that there will be some rotation… At the moment everyone's excited to play.

"There's going to be a few disappointed ones when I do the rotation, but we've got a great group, and whoever comes in, will keep the standards very high."