Matildas have made an 11th hour change to their squad for the Asian Cup with goalkeeper Jada Whyman ruled out with a knee injury.

Perth local Morgan Aquino, who jetted over from American side DC Power as a train-on this week, has been called into the side.

With Tegan Micah ruled out before the tournament due to concussion – it makes Aquino the second back-up keeper called into the squad following the inclusion of Chloe Lincoln.

While earlier this week Football Australia said Aquino was just in camp as a train on it raises questions as to whether they were already aware of Whyman or Mackenzie Arnold’s fitness concerns.

Aquino plays for DC Power in the US Super League. The season is already started. She was back in Perth over the Christmas break. The league is only breaking for two weeks for the international break. It is unlikely that she would travel back to Australia just to train with the Matildas for the one week they were in Perth.

From the outside it certainly looks like some very good forward planning to avoid a last minue scramble.

Mackenzie Arnold is in serious doubt after being scarcely seen at training this week.

When asked at Saturday’s pre-match press conference about Arnold’s fitness Montemurro danced around it instead giving a broad statement on load management

But given Arnold hasn’t played a match since November load management is highly unlikely to apply to her.

Given the length of the tournament Montemurro is unlikely to risk playing an injured or unfit Arnold against the Philippines.

Whyman was also absent from trainig on Saturday.

Football Australia confirmed on Sunday morning that Whyman had been withdrawm from the squad with a knee injury.

Montemurro now has to choice between Lincoln and Aquino – who has been training with a heavily strapped knee this week.

The Brisbane Roar keeper has had three appearances in the green and gold and has been playing regular minutes in the ALW.

Midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross is unlikely to start.

She hasn’t trained with the squad all week. She has been on managed minutes even at club Arsenal after taking some time off earlier this year to be with her mum in Australia who has cancer.

“The lead up us been very tight, a lot of players were playing on the weekend,” Montemurro said.

“So we just got them all on individual programs and we are thinking ahead to.”