Injuries forcing Canada coach Priestman to juggle lineups ahead of SheBelieves Cup

Canada coach Bev Priestman finds herself having to play injury Whac-A-Mole in the lead-up to this summer's Paris Olympics.

Veterans Janine Beckie and Desiree Scott are back in the fold from lengthy injury layoffs ahead of ninth-ranked Canada's opening game against No. 10 Brazil on Saturday at the SheBelieves Cup at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. But others are missing.

"You could say [the squad] feels more complete [with Beckie and Scott] but it also feels very depleted," said Priestman.

Quinn and Olivia Smith dropped out of the squad due to concussion and a knee knock, respectively, on the eve of the tournament, joining Sydney Collins, Nichelle Prince and Jayde Riviere on the sidelines.

"At this point you want to start really getting some flow, fluidity, partnerships. And that's definitely been hampered," said Priestman.

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Forward Clarissa Larisey is in camp but is not 100 per cent and is being assessed.

Priestman looks to see the glass half-full.

"Out of these moments I've seen players been given an opportunity, and really step up," she said. "I think that's what will end up happening, particularly off the bench."

Both Beckie and Scott have joined Canada at recent camps, not seeing action but continuing their "return to play" protocols.

The 36-year-old Scott earned the last of her 185 Canada caps in November 2022 in a 2-1 win over Brazil. Like Beckie, the Kansas City Current midfielder missed the 2023 NWSL season after knee surgery but returned to action last weekend when she came off the bench in stoppage time in Kansas City's 4-2 win over Angel City FC.

Scott also missed playing time due to the recent death of her mother.

The 29-year-old Beckie,