Joy Fawcett returns to the U.S. women's national team's lineup this weekend after nearly three months' absence following back surgery in March.

The veteran defender is expected to line up alongside Catherine Reddick in central defense Sunday when the U.S. women meet Japan at Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Ky. ESPN2 will televise the action at 4 p.m. EDT.

''I feel great,'' Fawcett said last week. ''No pain, no nothing, just trying to get back into the swing of things. I'm 100 percent, just trying to get some of my strength back. I think I could last 90 minutes. I've gone 60.''

Fawcett had a herniated disk in her lower back removed following the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament in March. She returned to the practice field last month, and has missed six matches — four in the Algarve Cup and domestic friendlies against Brazil and Mexico. Heather Mitts has played centrally with Reddick while Fawcett has been out.

U.S. coach April Heinrichs' 18-player roster, culled from 33 players training the past two weeks at the Olympic Residency in Southern California, is nearly identical to the teams she took to the games April 24 in Birmingham (5-1 win over Brazil) and May 9 in Albuquerque (3-0 win over Mexico).

Fawcett replaces midfielder Lori Chalupny, who played in both matches and scored her first full international goal against the Mexicans. Forward Shannon MacMillan, who was on the roster for the Brazil game but didn't play, returns after not making the Mexico roster. Heather O'Reilly took MacMillan's place against Mexico but will not travel to Louisville.

Japan is led by striker Mio Otani and midfielder Yayoi Kobayashi, who trained last season with the Atlanta Beat but never signed a WUSA contract. Beat star Homare Sawa, Japan's most accomplished female player, is nursing a knee injury.

A U.S. squad missing most of its front-line players scrimmaged Japan on Wednesday evening at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. There were no goals in three 30-minute periods.

There will be a pregame recognition of Louisville native Jenna Cooper, the University of Nebraska standout who was shot to death in late April.