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Matildas midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross has played her first match in more than five months after taking time away from football to be with her late mother. Cooney-Cross was sent on in the 63rd minute as Arsenal recorded a 10 pre-season win over Paris FC in Borehamwood on Sunday. The 67-time international recorded her first minutes since the AFC Women's Asian Cup final in March, where she started in the Matildas' 1-0 loss to Japan in Sydney. - Holmes: A-League Women players are 'sick of waiting for change' - Matildas star Ellie Carpenter lambasts A-League pay row - Australia midfielder Katrina Gorry hits 'pause' on soccer career In January, Cooney-Cross announced on Instagram that her mother Jessica Cooney was diagnosed with terminal Stage 4 bile duct cancer. She died on July 10. Arsenal manager Renee Slegers confirmed on March 28 that Cooney-Cross was granted indefinite compassionate leave and would remain in Australia after the Asian Cup to tend to her mother. The 24-year-old returned to Arsenal's preseason training on Aug. 17, with the Gunners' Women's Super League campaign set to begin on Sunday evening against Brighton & Hove Albion. Cooney-Cross received a rousing ovation at Meadow Park as she was substituted on alongside compatriot Steph Catley. A former A-League Women's star with Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers, Cooney-Cross was involved in the build-up to Canadian attacker Olivia Smith's 91st minute winner. Arsenal's final preseason match is against Charlton Athletic on Aug. 26. The Addicks have signed Australian trio Emily van Egmond -- who marked a national record 170 international appearances during the Asian Cup -- alongside fellow Matildas midfielder Leah Davidson and youth international Grace Johnston, following the club's promotion from the Women's Super League 2. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Jada Whyman is returning to A-League club Sydney FC after a stint in Sweden. Whyman is yet to play for the Matildas but has been selected in multiple national squads.