Adamstown Rosebud junior Clare Wheeler targets 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup after Matildas appearances

The former long-serving Newcastle Jets player and Young Matildas midfielder has long been widely regarded as one of the most promising players in the national women's league.

Now, after finally breaking into Australia's senior side with appearances in the Matildas' past three outings, Wheeler is determined to keep her spot for the 2023 FIFA World Cup on home soil.

A move to A-League Women's powerhouse Sydney FC after seven seasons in Jets colours has proven the launchpad.

There she played a pivotal role in the Sky Blues' 2020-21 premiership success, featured in her first W-League grand final and earned the club's player of the year accolade.

A contract with Danish big guns Fortuna Hjorring followed in June then a Matildas' call-up and subsequent senior international debut against Republic of Ireland in South Dublin last month.

Wheeler retained her place for Australia's two-match friendly series against Brazil in Sydney. She came off the bench in both, playing around 25 minutes in a 3-1 win on Saturday night and the second half of a 2-2 draw on Tuesday night.

"A pretty good way to describe it is a whirlwind," Wheeler told the Newcastle Herald on Wednesday.

"Coming into Sydney wasn't just a football choice; it was also a career choice. Then, obviously, the season that it was and the way I've come from that, it just keeps stepping up.

"Moving to Denmark and now getting my time coming into this environment, it's just taking one step forward after the next and it's been amazing."

Playing No.6, Wheeler shared the screening duties with fellow Newcastle product Emily van Egmond on Tuesday night. She picked off a number of intercepts, matched up at times to Brazilian superstar Marta and produced a high-passing completion rate.

The Matildas' impressive second goal - a masterclass on passing and link-up play from one side of the field to the other - was started by Wheeler at the back.

"It's certainly surreal and a bit nervous to play defensive midfield and screen people like Debinha and Marta, two really key, influential women in sport and in football," Wheeler said.

"There was a bit of nerves and some shaky moments when I first got on but I think in time you build into the game. I couldn't ask for a better game to be a part of. You certainly learn quick when you're up against the world's best.

"Every taste you just want to come back for more. I want to play those top teams and keep putting myself against the world's best and seeing how I go.

"Obviously, we're getting the results that we need and we're coming together as a team. I'm really enjoying it and I can't wait to see how much further we can go."

Wheeler is one of a number of next generation players given their Matildas debut by coach Tony Gustavsson.

The rising talents are bringing a fresh excitement factor to the national team.

"Everyone that has seen her play knows that she's a very, very smart player," Gustavsson said of Wheeler after the Saturday match against Brazil.

"She's a very technical player. She reads the game very well. She covers ground defensively very well as well.

"Her job is to bring it up to that international level when it comes to tempo and intensity and the more she's exposed to our environment the better she can do that."

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