It may only be a 20-minute cameo, but Canberra United star Sally Shipard will savour every moment of her long-awaited comeback to the field.
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The experienced midfielder will end a frustrating 18 months when she lines up for United in a practice game against an under-16 boys team at University of Canberra on Saturday.
The Matildas veteran said her future with the national team will depend on how her body copes with the rigours of playing and training on a regular basis.
Shipard has a degenerative condition with her knees which forced her to have a modified training schedule and will mean she will have to cut down the amount she runs in a game.
While she still wants to add to her 57 caps for the Matildas, Shipard's immediate focus is getting back on the pitch for United.
''I'm super stoked to play again,'' Shipard said.
''People ask, 'have you got your sights set on the Matildas?', and honestly, I don't.
''I'd love to play for my country again and I don't consider myself retired from the national team, but perhaps my body may make that decision for me.
''I'm just going to take it as I go.''
Shipard is on track to make her return to the W-League in the round four clash with Brisbane Roar at McKellar Park on December 8.
Her injury problems surfaced at a tournament in Germany last year. The 26-year-old did more damage when she returned to the pitch too soon last season.
She has done the bulk of her rehabilitation with the Queensland Academy of Sport in Brisbane, spending eight months in the gym before she was allowed to touch a ball.
Renowned for her tremendous work rate and ability to run from box to box, Shipard knows she will need to adapt her game to prolong her future in the sport.
''This will be good in a sense that I will stand still, get the ball at my feet and work on my positioning,'' she said.
''This may be my last season, but if I'm able to continue with a modified program, who knows what the next couple of years will entail?''
Meanwhile, former United players Kahlia Hogg and Rebecca Keating will join the squad on training agreements in December once their commitments in the US with their respective colleges are complete.
United has one spot left on its 20-player roster.
