Australian netball coach Lisa Alexander says former captain Laura Geitz can combine her international experience with strong training form to force her way back into the national side.
The new mother missed the 2017 Super Netball season and was left out of Alexander's squad for the upcoming Quad Series.
Geitz made her international debut against England in 2008 and has amassed 64 Test caps for Australia, tasting defeat in only three of 29 Tests as captain.
While set to play for Queensland Firebirds next year, Geitz will not have the chance to play a competitive fixture before Australia's gold medal bid at April's Commonwealth Games.
Though that throws a spanner in the works, Alexander said the 29-year-old's past performances in green and gold would count in her favour.
"Of course we want her back, if she's ready, willing and able," Alexander said at the announcement of Caitlin Bassett as Australia's latest captain, in Brisbane on Friday.
"We can choose an athlete on international experience, but they also have to tick the high performance box at training.
"She's going to have to do a lot of work to get there, but she's an enormously talented and experienced defender."
The coach revealed that Geitz had been given a "very big checklist" to work through to prove she was ready for competition at the highest level.
"She knows what she's got to do and we're right behind her, as is her family, and we look forward to seeing her back in the mix," Alexander said.
New captain Bassett said it would be a bonus if Geitz, who had her first child earlier this year, was recalled.
"To have Geitzy back in the group would be a huge boost for our team; even this year I've missed having her around as much," Bassett said.
"There would be no squabbling amongst leaders (if Geitz returned), there's no hierarchy there."
The Diamonds play England in the Quad Series opener next Saturday in Brisbane, with South Africa up against New Zealand in the other fixture.