The importance of Canberra United's clash with Sydney FC this weekend has been magnified with up to three of their stars to miss the following week's game with Matildas commitments.
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The defending W-League champions will be desperate to keep in touch with the top four when they continue their horrid road schedule at Lambert Park on Sunday.
Canberra has made a scratchy start to their title defence, sitting eighth on the ladder with four points from as many games.
However, they are only three points outside the top four and have a game in hand on several sides above them on the table.
Matildas coach Alen Stajic has agreed to select a maximum of three players from every club for next week's tour of South Korea, with the squad to be announced on Sunday night.
The exception is ladder leaders Melbourne City, who have the bye in round seven.
For Canberra, that means they will likely be without goalkeeper Lydia Williams, striker Michelle Heyman and defender Ellie Brush for their match with the Wanderers in Gosford on November 29.
But Canberra United coach Rae Dower isn't making any excuses as the Matildas continue their preparations for next year's vital Olympic Games qualifiers.
"It's another disruption, but in the grander scheme of things, it's another really important tournament for them against some quality opposition they are going to be playing against," Dower said.
"Alen has said he won't bring in any more than three players per club to limit the disruption to the team.
"When you get a really good opponent who is going to be a direct opponent for Olympic qualifcation, you can't knock that back for preparation."
Canberra United is yet to fill the vacant guest player spot which was going to be occupied by English international Jodie Taylor before she pulled out with injury.
"We certainly haven't been sitting on our hands and we've made a number of enquiries," Dower said.
"There are two players that we are following up.
"The FFA requirements in relation to a guest player are a little bit more stringent than they were in previous years.
"You're really looking at players who in the last two years have a lot of international experience.
"Then there's extra little parameters in terms of where their countries are in the FIFA rankings and countries who are playing qualifiers for Rio."
Dower said she isn't concerned about Canberra's start to the season.
"Everyone is making a big thing about that in terms of the ladder position, but one win and three points and we're back in the top four," she said.
"From that perspective, there's certainly no panic stations."
W-LEAGUE
Sunday: Sydney FC v Canberra United at Lambert Park, 4pm.
