Sunday, 17 February 2019:
The new Matildas coach will have injury concerns added to the many other urgent issues they must address.
Sydney FC star Chloe Logarzo is anxiously waiting on scans after picking up a shin injury in her team's W-League grand final triumph over Perth Glory on Saturday.
And veteran striker Lisa De Vanna has been urged to rest a knee injury that almost kept her out of the decider.
Ante Milicic is widely tipped to be unveiled, as early as Monday, as caretaker of the national women team through the World Cup campaign in June.
There'll be no time to waste for the coach tasked with picking up the pieces following the controversial sacking of Alen Stajcic, with the home Cup of Nations tournament beginning on Thursday week.
That could include the tough decision on whether to leave out Australia's most prolific female goalscorer De Vanna.
The 34-year-old was limited to just 20 minutes off the bench against Perth Glory.
"I feel a bit sluggish because it's been two weeks since I've actually touched a ball. My quickness is there but the mobility wasn't as good as it usually is," she said.
"Hopefully I can get some repetitions in before we go into camp."
Having featured in Australia's past three World Cup campaigns, De Vanna is confident of participating in a fourth.
"Once I'm fit and healthy mentally, physically and emotionally, I back myself," she said.
"As long as I continue to be a good person first and then become a good player, it's up to the coach if they want to pick me.
"I can only control what I can bring to our team."
De Vanna conceded the past month had been personally taxing for her, as she came to grips with Stajcic's sudden departure.
"It's going to be different for me but at the same time, I'll have him in my heart every time I play an international," she said.
"But there's a goal that I want to achieve and that's to win the World Cup."
Logarzo initially feared the worst when she collapsed late against Perth.
"I shed a few tears thinking if it was going to be any worse than what it is right now, maybe I might be missing out (on Cup of Nations)," she said.
"But I'm looking forward to the bigger picture of the World Cup. Hopefully I'll be ready for the three games here but if not, I'm content with that."
Logarzo also urged Matildas fans to be patient as the new coach finds their feet.
"I hope the nation kind of understands a new coach coming in, how we go in the first three games might be a bit 'How ya going'," she said.
