Sam Kerr, the prominent Chelsea striker and Matildas star, has been ruled out of action until after the upcoming international break as she continues her recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Once optimistic about a swift return, Kerr has been seen participating in team training sessions, raising hopes that she might rejoin the squad for critical matches, including the Champions League quarter-finals against Manchester City. However, despite being listed in Chelsea’s squad for these games, she did not make an appearance, and the team subsequently lost their first match in 31 outings.
Chelsea’s head coach, Sonia Bompastor, confirmed that Kerr will not be back on the field in the short term, stating, “Sam Kerr won’t be with us before the next international break.” She explained that they will reassess her situation week by week, with a clearer timeline likely emerging post-break.
Bompastor has previously called for a tempered expectation regarding Kerr’s return, urging fans not to expect her to immediately take on a heroic role upon her comeback. This setback further extends Kerr’s absence from the national team ahead of the April international window. Interim coach Tom Sermanni held hopes that Kerr might return in time for friendly matches against South Korea, but recent developments at the club level indicate a longer rehab period.
With no additional friendlies scheduled after the matches against South Korea, Kerr may have limited opportunities to join the national squad ahead of the Asian Cup. On Monday, Sermanni announced his squad for the forthcoming friendlies, which sees the return of players like Clare Wheeler and Courtney Nevin. He emphasised the importance of achieving a balance in the team, focusing on integrating players coming back from injury while also rewarding those performing consistently well at club level.
Sermanni acknowledged the advantage of having a core group of players competing at high levels, whether in the UEFA Women’s Champions League or other major domestic leagues. Their experiences in high-pressure situations are critical for the preparation leading into the Asian Cup, where the team will fine-tune their strategies and build cohesion to compete effectively against Asia’s best.
The Matildas squad for the April friendlies includes Mackenzie Arnold (GK), Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley (C), Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry, and others, demonstrating a blend of youth and experience bolstering the team’s chances as they gear up for future international challenges.