Bone has spent the better half of this year out with a knee injury but was on Tuesday confirmed as a member of Hockey Australia’s 25-member senior women’s squad for 2018.

The 29-year-old had surgery to repair a stress fracture and bone bruising in her left knee and three weeks ago had another arthroscope to remove some cartilage and clean up the area.

The defender’s recovery is going well too and, she says, a return to the pitch by the end of January is the goal, as is a spot in the Hockeyroos squad for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“I can’t believe how it feels after the surgery. It’s like a normal knee again,” she said.

“It could have been easy to just see how it goes but the surgery was non-invasive and the recovery has been good.

“The doctor and physio are happy. I’m starting to skip and I’ll do a walk-jog trial in a week.

“The aim is to be back for camp for games at end of January.”

With 143 international caps next to her name, Bone adds plenty of experience to a youthful national squad about to embark on a massive year.

Still, the Orange product admits to being nervous ahead of her campaign to put her name back in the forefront of selectors’ minds.

“It’s been a rough run the last six months or so,” she said, not having picked up a stick since the World League semi-finals at Belgium at the end of June.

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“This rehab period is important in getting back out on the pitch.

“I’ve been in the program for five years and never been out this long, so it’s a weird situation to be in for me.

“I’ve got the experience to play in a big tournament. I’m looking forward getting out there. It’s important to put my best foot forward.”

The squad was named with high performance at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in April and the 2018 World Cup in London in July-August.

Development ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is also a consideration.

Bone said her immediate focus was on the Commonwealth Games, an event she’s also been selected to be a Queen’s Baton Relay member for in Orange.

“I’m confident of the squad that’s been picked,” she said.

“They make sure everyone in the squad is across the game plan, so I still felt part of the team despite being out injured.

“They’re young and inexperienced and stood up to best team int he world in Holland, we’re definitely on the right track.”

Parkes’ Mariah Williams has also been included in the 25-strong national women’s squad.