Speculation has been rife for months that the 34-year-old Matildas and W-League Jets skipper would hang up the boots.

A press conference will be held this afternoon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Parramatta, where Salisbury will formally announce that Saturday's international friendly against Italy at Parramatta Stadium will be her 151st and final appearance in the green and gold.

It is also suspected that the second friendly against Italy, at Canberra Stadium on February 7, will be the farewell for fellow Novocastrian and Salisbury's long-time teammate Joey Peters.

Peters will be rested on Saturday, so that each player gets their own farewell match.

Sermanni said yesterday there would be a massive hole in the side with the departures of Salisbury and Peters.

"I think they'll leave the game in good hands, but I don't think the time is ever right to lose two stalwarts of the team and two outstanding players who have been really mature international players that are respected worldwide," Sermanni said.

"It takes a lot of years to get that respect, and both Joey and Cheryl have enormous respect within the game internationally.

"If you ask, 'are there replacements ready to walk right in?' then the answer is no. It will take some years to get players of their stature again."

Salisbury has had an unparalleled career in Australian women's soccer.

Since debuting in 1994 she has played 150 matches for Australia, a record for both men's and women's soccer.

During that mammoth stint for the Matildas, the predominantly central defender and midfielder has scored 37 goals also a record for any male or female Australian footballer.

Sermanni said a combination of increasing work commitments and injuries were behind Salisbury's exit from the game.

The Lambton Jaffas junior struggled through most of the inaugural W-League season with a calf tear, which she sustained in round four against Sydney FC.

She managed only seven games for Newcastle and only made the pitch in the last 10 minutes of the Jets' 1-0 semi-final loss to Canberra United at EnergyAustralia Stadium.