Sam Kerr is making significant strides towards her much-anticipated comeback to football after recovering from a serious knee injury. The star striker has reunited with her Matildas teammates in Perth, marking her first return to training with the national squad in almost 18 months. She has been sidelined since suffering a torn ACL during a Chelsea training camp in Morocco in January 2024, a setback that has challenged her recovery process.
New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has acknowledged that Kerr underwent an unrelated second surgery during her rehabilitation, but she will still miss upcoming friendlies against Slovenia and Panama in June and July. Despite this, the 31-year-old has shown determination, recently sharing her progress on social media where she posted videos of herself engaging in football drills while holidaying in Mallorca with her partner and infant son.
Kerr has landed in her hometown of Perth, where the Matildas are currently preparing for their matches at Perth Rectangular Stadium and Hands Oval in Bunbury. She has been receiving support from both Chelsea’s and Football Australia’s medical teams during her recovery. Although she remains on leave from her club, she has the guidance of a full-time physiotherapist in London, while also collaborating with the Matildas’ Performance Support team.
While Kerr was excluded from Montemurro’s 33-player squad for the Western Australian games, she is expected to participate in select training sessions with her teammates as she progresses. Montemurro has been in close contact with Kerr and noted that her rehabilitation is going well, although she is not yet ready for competitive play.
Football Australia is closely monitoring her progress, with efforts focused on ensuring her readiness for the upcoming season. Montemurro expressed optimism about her recovery, stating, “Everything’s pointing in a positive way and going in the direction we feel that’s right.”
As the Matildas prepare for their first match under Montemurro against Slovenia, scheduled for Thursday at 9pm AEST, fans remain hopeful for Kerr’s full return to fitness and her impactful presence on the field.