New Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimkova has named her first squad since taking charge of the New Zealand national women's side for two fixtures against world No. 6 Canada later this month and it's missing one key name.
Star defender Abby Erceg has opted out of the series due to personal reasons and will stay with her American National Women's Soccer League side, North Carolina Courage.
Fresh from taking charge of the side at the start of September, Klimkova has named a side blending youth and experience, with six potential debutants in the 22-strong squad.
Their opponents Canada enter the two fixtures off the back of winning gold at the Tokyo Olympics earlier this year.
With MIQ issues preventing players based in New Zealand and Australia from travelling, Klimkova has handed Amelia Abbott, Aniela Jensen, Ava Collins, Jacqui Hand, Sam Tawharu and Tahlia Herman-Watt their maiden call ups to the Football Ferns' senior side.
All six ply their trade in the American college system, along with the returning pair of Hannah Blake and Maggie Jenkins.
Forward Rosie White is another welcome returnee to the squad, having been forced to miss the Tokyo Olympics due to illness. White, 28, has played 110 times for New Zealand at senior level, scoring 24 goals.
"We're especially pleased that Rosie is available for selection again," Klimkova says.
"Obviously it was very tough for her to miss out on the Olympic Games, and we're pleased to be able to draw on her experience going into the series against the Olympic champions."
The likes of Tottenham's Ria Percival and Liverpool's Meikalya Moore are also named in the squad, with English football on international break.
The Football Ferns face Canada at Ottawa on October 24, and Montreal on October 27.
Football Ferns: Victoria Esson, Anna Leat, Erin Nayler, CJ Bott, Katie Bowen, Tahlia Herman-Watt, Meikayla Moore, Ali Riley, Amelia Abbott, Hannah Blake, Daisy Cleverley, Betsy Hassett, Aneila Jensen, Ria Percival, Emma Rolston, Olivia Chance, Ava Collins, Jacqui Hand, Maggie Jenkins, Gabi Rennie, Sam Tawharu, Rosie White
