Ellie Carpenter says Matildas star Sam Kerr has faced challenging time as team starts SheBelieves Cup in USA

Ellie Carpenter is reluctant to discuss Sam Kerr’s future beyond her return to full fitness as the striker’s status as Australian captain continues to cast a shadow over the Matildas set-up.

Carpenter, speaking from the US ahead of Australia’s SheBelieves Cup campaign, was the first senior Matildas player to reflect on the fact that Kerr had been found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment in the UK last week.

Kerr is not part of the Australia squad as she continues to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The striker’s club side, Chelsea, have suggested the forward may see game-time over the next month, and when she does return it will reignite questions over whether Kerr will face sanction from Football Australia (FA).

FA has yet to take any action against the striker and released a statement last week underlining its continued support for the game’s most recognisable, powerful and influential player.

But Kerr could face sanction under FA’s code of conduct and ethics, and may also earn a rebuke for failing to inform the governing body that she had been charged last year.

Carpenter, speaking ahead of Friday’s opener against Japan in Houston, was only willing to answer one question in relation to Kerr, who has not played for the national team since 2023.

“This will be my only comment regarding Sam,” Carpenter told reporters via Zoom on Tuesday (AEDT).

“I obviously hope she’s OK and her wellbeing … it’s obviously been a very challenging time for her.

“Secondly, we hope her rehab journey with her knee is going well, and we all can’t wait to see her back on the pitch.

“That’s such a hard and lengthy journey. I’ve been through it as well, so I really hope that she’s back on the pitch doing what she loves and that’s going to be the best thing.”

Kerr’s status as captain could also be a matter for the Matildas’ next permanent head coach to handle.

Steph Catley has deputised as skipper in Kerr’s absence, with Carpenter and Emily van Egmond sharing the vice-captaincy.

Tom Sermanni is again taking the reins as interim coach for this month’s tournament in the US.

It is more than six months since Tony Gustavsson quit after a disastrous Olympics campaign, and the next Australia boss will have a limited lead-in time to the 2026 Asian Cup on home soil.

“We’re leaving that up to FA, we have full trust in them that they will provide us with a coach that’s the best fit,” Carpenter said.

“As of now we have Tom as our interim for this tournament.

“I think it’s very challenging for us against three top teams, but I think it will prepare us well for the Asian Cup.

“People are still fighting for spots and squad positions as well.

“With or without our main coach, there’s still a lot to play for.”