Matildas coach backs Mary Fowler's absence from friendlies

In short:

Mary Fowler, who withdrew from the Matildas squad for upcoming friendlies, has the support of the team, according to coach Joe Montemurro.

There has been speculation that Fowler has returned to Australia to support her partner, Nathan Cleary, which Football Australia has not confirmed.

What's next?

The Matildas face world number three Germany on Saturday morning, AEDT.

Coach Joe Montemurro has said the Matildas support Mary Fowler's decision to miss upcoming friendlies for personal circumstances and is adamant they have the creative players available to cover her.

Fowler, 23, withdrew this week from the squad to play world number three Germany on Saturday (AEDT) and Haiti on Wednesday.

"It's really important that we create an environment that is important for the player, and as the circumstances are private, I'm not going to elaborate," Montemurro said.

"But yes, absolutely, discussions were had with Mary, with the club (Manchester City), and with the relative people, and we believe that we've made the right decision and I think everyone's in support of the situation."

There has been speculation that Fowler has returned to Australia to support her partner, Nathan Cleary, which Football Australia has not confirmed.

The Penrith rugby league star required emergency surgery after suffering a career-threatening badly broken leg in the Panthers' NRL preliminary final loss in late September.

Players opting out of windows for personal reasons is not rare, especially given the intense schedules of club and international football.

"At the end of the day, we're all human. You can't always base your life around football," Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold said.

"I have never personally been in that experience, so I don't really know how to put it into words.

"But I would say if I had that situation that I felt the need to go home and I asked the coach for that and I had full trust in him that he was going to give me that permission — then of course, it's important.

"But I think the the bottom line is, at the end of the day we're all human, so if we need to make that decision, then that's what we need to go with."

The Matildas are without three of their best creative outlets — Fowler, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Katrina Gorry — for this window.

But Montemurro backed Australia's "very, very talented" midfield depth.

Montemurro name-dropped Vittsjo gun Dani Galic, Nottingham Forest midfielder Alana Murphy and uncapped Valerenga playmaker Hana Lowry.

"They're names I want you to remember, because I really do believe that they're going to be the next generation of midfielders," he said.