Canberra Capitals' Marianna Tolo back in the Opals fold

But she's back in the green and gold, having been picked for the Australian Opals squad for the upcoming pre-Olympic qualifying tournament.

Tolo hasn't played a tournament for the Opals since 2017, missing out on this year's Asia Cup due to a foot infection.

It meant she also missed representing Australia against China at AIS Arena in September in the lead-up to that tournament.

Knee reconstructions have also plagued her career, meaning she never really knew if she'd ever make it back for the Opals.

"It's been a long process with my foot and I was hoping to be back for that Canberra game, but unfortunately with the infection it didn't quite work out the way that I had hoped," Tolo said.

"That's why this is extra special to be named in the team. It's an honour and it will be the first tournament I've played with the Opals since the Asia Cup 2017.

"So it's been a long time coming.

"Definitely [I was worried I wouldn't get back]. There's a high calibre of players in that squad so there's a lot of people to contest in that position.

"You can never count your name there until it's actually called. So very happy to have the call up."

The Opals will face Taipei, India and Japan - the current Asian champions - in the qualifying tournament in Kuala Lumpur, with only four teams making it through to the Olympic qualifiers.

Tolo expected it to be a tough ask, with Japan the toughest of all - they beat the Opals 76-64 in last month's Asia Cup semi-final in India.

"Japan will be really tough. They beat us in the last tournament," she said.

"You can't go into any of those expecting to walk over any of those teams.

"We have to respect each opponent, but Japan will definitely be a tough one in that group."

Tolo was hoping the thrill of her Opals recall would help the Capitals end their two-game losing streak.

They lost both of the WNBL clashed on the weekend and face one of those teams again at AIS Arena on Saturday - the Sydney Flames.

On a positive note, they now know what to expect from Flames. They'll also be boosted by Indigenous round.

"Having two losses over the weekend is pretty tough, but I guess this adds a bit of positivity to that and will make a for a good day today ahead of a tough week of practice," Tolo said.

"I'll try to take that positive spin with me into the game.

"But in the WNBL you have to focus on each opponent and we're playing Sydney again.

"We just lost to them on Sunday so I think we'll be extra fired up this weekend to show them that nobody comes up against us easily at home."

WNBL ROUND 4

Saturday: Canberra Capitals v Sydney Flames at AIS Arena, 5pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.