Matildas Head Coach Tom Sermanni today announced his 20-player squad who will depart next week for China to compete for a place at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Returning to the squad are experienced pair Sarah Walsh and Thea Slatyer who have both battled back from injuries that kept them out of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany.

Aivi Luik also returns after narrowly missing out on a spot on the plane to Germany and comes in for injured Brisbane Roar team mate Lauren Colthorpe who has a knee injury.

Ellyse Perry, Leena Khamis and Casey Dumont also missed selection in the reduced 20-player squad.

“Again it has been a difficult decision in selecting the squad,” said Sermanni.

“We have a large and talented squad and when you can only select 20 players for an 11 day, five match tournament you need to be very balanced in the selection process.

“The flexibility of the playing group given the number of games we have to play over a very short period is key.

“Both Thea and Walshy bring special qualities to the squad and now they are fully fit will give us the added bonus through their extensive experience and knowledge of playing big matches in Asia.”

Australia’s road to the Olympics begins next month in Jinan, China, in a gruelling six team, 11 day round robin tournament with the top two teams progressing to the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The Matildas play AFC Women’s Asian Cup runners-up DPR Korea in their opening match on September 1 at the Jinan Olympic Sports Centre.

 To read Olympian Sally Shipard's diary about the Matildas' journey to London 2012 click here.

Australian Squad:

Lydia Williams              
Sarah Walsh                 
Emily van Egmond       
Servet Uzunlar              
Thea Slatyer                 
Kyah Simon                 
Sally Shipard               
Clare Polkinghorne       
Collette McCallum        
Aivi Luik                       
Samantha Kerr             
Elise Kellond-Knight     
Heather Garriock          
Caitlin Foord                
Lisa De Vanna              
Kim Carroll                   
Tameka Butt                 
Melissa Barbieri            
Laura Alleway               
Teigen Allen

Football Federation Australia