Australian basketball star Liz Cambage will be eased back into the Opals side in next week's three-game series against Japan after a lengthy stint on the sidelines.
Cambage has been named in a 16-strong squad for the matches in Victoria, ahead of their crucial Rio Olympic qualifiers versus New Zealand next month.
The 23-year-old centre has spent the past eight months recovering from a ruptured achilles, which saw her miss the 2014 FIBA World Championships.
"It's fantastic to have Liz back," Opals coach Brendan Joyce said on Monday.
"It's a bonus to have her available for the series against Japan, but the focus is to have her on court against New Zealand.
"We'll ease her into it."
Cambage is among a trio of returning stars, alongside Tess Madgen - back from a maiden stint in the WNBA with Phoenix Mercury - and Rachel Jarry, forced to withdraw from the WNBA this season with a knee injury.
The squad features a dozen players from the Opals' side that toured Europe in June, including Suzy Batkovic, as well as Emerging Opal Aimie Clydesdale following her role at the World University Games.
Joyce said Japan's explosiveness will be a test for the Opals' defence.
"It's going to be tremendous preparation for the Oceania Championships," he said.
"Japan may not be the biggest team in the world, but they're certainly quick."
The games will be played on July 27 in Dandenong, at Frankston Stadium on July 29, and in Ballarat two days later.
Opals squad: Sara Blicavs, Natalie Burton, Elizabeth Cambage, Aimie Clydesdale, Katie-Rae Ebzery, Madeleine Garrick, Laura Hodges, Rachel Jarry, Alice Kunek, Tessa Lavey, Tess Madgen, Elyse Penaluna, Belinda Snell, Stephanie Talbot, Kelly Wilson.
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