Interim Matildas head coach Alen Stajcic has announced the 23 player squad to compete in the 2014 Asian Cup in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam later this month.

Stajcic has retained the nucleus of the squad called into the last two camps on the Gold Coast and defeated Brazil 2-1 in their last international friendly under former coach Hesterine de Reus.

2013/14 W-League Player of the Year Tameka Butt has recovered in time for the Asian Cup after an ankle injury sustained in the April friendlies had put her in doubt.

International based players Lisa De Vanna (Boston Breakers), Caitlin Foord (Sky Blue FC), Samantha Kerr (WNY Flash) and Lydia Williams (WNY Flash) have also been included and are set meet up with the team early next week.

[More: Japan announce Asian Cup squad]

Although ranked second in the AFC, Australia enters the tournament with a relatively inexperienced squad, including Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso, Michelle Heyman and Katrina Gorry, set to make their Asian Cup debuts.

Drawn in Group A, Australia will face world champions Japan, host nation Vietnam and Jordan as they aim to defend their 2010 championship. Fox Sport will air the Matildas for the first time on pay tv.

The Matildas squad departs on Thursday for Ho Chi Minh City and commences their campaign against world no. 3 Japan on 14 May 2014. Kick off is 11.15pm (AET).

The Women's Game will have full coverage of the Matildas campaign on Facebook and Twitter.

Matildas Asian Cup Squad

Goalkeepers: Lydia WILLIAMS (Canberra United/WNY Flash), Brianna DAVEY (Melbourne Victory), Casey DUMONT (Sydney FC)

Defenders: Teigen ALLEN (Western Sydney Wanderers), Laura ALLEWAY (Brisbane Roar), Stephanie CATLEY (Melbourne Victory), Caitlin FOORD (Sydney FC/Sky Blue FC), Alanna KENNEDY (Western Sydney Wanderers), Clare POLKINGHORNE (Brisbane Roar), Kim CARROLL (Brisbane Roar)

Midfielders: Tameka BUTT (Brisbane Roar), Samantha KERR (Sydney FC/WNY Flash), Katrina-Lee GORRY (Brisbane Roar), Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT (Brisbane Roar), Emily VAN-EGMOND (Western Sydney Wanderers), Nicola BOLGER (Sydney FC), Teresa POLIAS (Sydney FC), Leena KHAMIS (Sydney FC)

Strikers:  Lisa DE VANNA (Boston Breakers), Hayley RASO (Brisbane Roar), Kathryn GILL (Perth Glory), Michelle HEYMAN (Canberra United), Ashleigh SYKES (Canberra United)