Sam Kerr set to make comeback for Chelsea in Champion League match against Manchester City
Matildas captain Sam Kerr is on the cusp of a return to action after being named in Chelsea’s Champions League squad.
Kerr hasn’t played since a knee reconstruction in January last year and Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor is tempering expectations when the striker returns.
Chelsea’s next Champions League fixture is against Manchester City on March 20 and Bompastor says it’s “difficult to predict” when the Australian ace will make her comeback.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“For Sam, we will see,” Bompastor told reporters in London.
“She is progressing really well in her rehab but I just want her to feel like the main focus for her will be to work really hard, be the best version of herself.
“If we have positive news and she can bring in to the team her experience but also her competencies, it will be great.
“I just want her to focus step by step but the main thing for me is to make sure she works hard and she just comes back in the squad.
“I just want to make it clear I think it is not really fair to expect from a player who has been injured for now 15 months ... to be the hero in the team.”
Chelsea, yet to lose in all competitions this season, meet Manchester City four times over the next two weeks including Saturday’s Women’s League Cup final - Kerr won’t play in that game.
Last month, Kerr was found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment after calling a Metropolitan Police officer “stupid and white”.
After the high-profile trial, Football Australia said it remained supportive of Kerr while refusing to comment on her prospects of keeping the national captaincy.
The Matildas’ next games are friendlies against South Korea on April 4 in Sydney and April 7 in Newcastle.
