‘Really positive' update in Kerr recovery
Interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni says superstar captain Sam Kerr is making 'really positive' steps towards her long-awaited return from an ACL injury.
Kerr ruptured her ACL at training in January 2024 and has missed all matches for Chelsea and her country since.
The 31-year-old has been sidelined for 16 months – four more than the typical ACL recovery — and there has been growing concern she might not play until 2026.
But Sermanni said the Matildas medical staff was 'heavily involved' in Kerr's rehab process at Chelsea and all were confident of a looming return.
'It's actually going really well, we've got a full-time physio in London, it's where all the high-maintenance players are,' he said in Melbourne on Thursday, ahead of Friday's friendly against Argentina.
'We're heavily involved with Chelsea and Sam's rehab and the knee is looking really good.
'From their feedback, I am confident that she's getting much, much closer than she has been over the past few months.
'The news there I am getting back is really positive.'
The Aussies host the Argentinians in the first of two friendlies at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.
Sermanni expects a competitive touring outfit but will likely use the friendly as a chance to get a glimpse of some future stars as the Matildas continue to build towards the 2026 Asian Cup on home soil.
'Hopefully there will be some players in there that haven't had some game time, perhaps even any game time,' he said.
'It's always a balance, it'll be great if we can give more opportunities to more inexperienced players or fringe players, it's trying to work out the right balance.
'These will be two tough games, Argentina will probably be not too dissimilar to Brazil, they've got a love of women's football.
'They'd be down the rank a little bit but Argentinians in football will always be competitive.'
While Kerr and fellow star Mary Fowler are both unavailable due to injury, the Matildas will feature Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross fresh off their Champions League triumph with Arsenal last weekend
The second match against Argentina is on Monday, June 2 at GIO Stadium in Canberra.
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