The Capitals' first international recruit in almost a decade has recovered from a shoulder injury and is ready to stamp her authority on the Australian league.

The former French under-20 representative and national squad member wants to make her Olympic debut at Rio in 2016.

Strunc has played just three of Canberra's eight games and is determined to make up for lost time in Melbourne on Saturday night.

''I was in the French squad before the Olympics, I'd love to play for the senior national team. In an Olympics, world championships … everything,'' Strunc said.

''If the Capitals deal didn't come up I would have just played second division in France.

''It's different here, all the players back home are professional.''

The Capitals will attempt to improve their record on the road when they play the second-placed Melbourne Boomers.

It's the third game of a brutal 37-day, eight-game stretch away from Canberra as the team aims for a return to the finals.

Strunc is a vital inclusion after a dislocated shoulder ruined her start to the season and left the Capitals struggling for depth on their playing roster.

When Capitals star Abby Bishop first approached Strunc about linking with Canberra, the shooting guard thought it was a joke. Bishop and Strunc played together at Perpignan, but the club failed to meet player payments and both defected back to the WNBL.

Strunc also played with Capitals' co-captain Nat Hurst in France.

''It's a good chance to improve my game and enjoy the experience, I couldn't say no,'' Strunc said.

''The injury I had was too long, it was the only injury I've ever had. I just want to get out there and play and hopefully help the team.

''We have a lot of international players in France so I can speak English. But when the girls speak fast I have to ask them to slow down.''

■ WNBL round seven: Melbourne Boomers v Canberra Capitals at the State Basketball Centre, 7.30pm.