Scott, Beckie return to Canada for SheBelieves Cup after injury layoffs

Desiree Scott and Janine Beckie return after lengthy knee injury layoffs to join Canada at next month's SheBelieves Cup.

The four-team tournament, which runs April 6-9 in Atlanta and Columbus, also features the fourth-ranked U.S., No. 7 Japan and No. 10 Brazil.

The 36-year-old Scott earned the last of her 186 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.

Both players joined the Canada squad in December ahead of a pair of B.C. friendlies against Australia that marked the international swan song for longtime captain Christine Sinclair. They did not see action but continued their "return to play" protocols with the squad.

Earlier this month, Beckie celebrated her return to action with a pair of goals in a losing cause as Portland lost 5-4 to Kansas City in their NWSL regular-season opener.

Scott remains on Kansas City's injured list.

The Canadian women face Brazil on April 6 while the U.S. plays Japan. The winners meet three days later to decide the title while the losers face off for third place.

WATCH | Canada falls to U.S. in penalties at W Gold Cup:

Priestman named 23 players for the SheBelieves Cup, a roster she will have to trim to 18 for the Paris Olympics where Canada will open defence of its title in Group A alongside No. 3 France, No. 23 Colombia and No. 28 New Zealand.

Adding to the potential Olympic player pool are Sydney Collins, Nichelle Prince and Jayde Riviere, who are unavailable for the SheBelieves Cup due to injury.

"Now that we know our Olympic path and with the Games getting closer, everything we do now is with Paris 2024 in mind," Priestman said in a statement. "Our recent W Gold Cup tournament