Sam Kerr injury update emerges as Matildas squad for friendlies revealed
Interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni has issued an update on superstar Sam Kerr after naming a bumper extended for upcoming friendlies.
Seven uncapped players and eight with 10 caps or less have been selected in the 36-strong squad for two games against Brazil, in Queensland on November 28 and December 1, and two against Taiwan in Victoria on December 4 and 7.
Kerr won’t be involved as she continues her recovery from an ACL tear.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Sermanni indicated her rehabilitation was going “really, really, really well” but he hadn’t spoken to the sidelined captain for a couple of weeks.
“Things are getting a little bit better in rehab, but in reality, it’s still probably a 12-month injury,” he said.
Kerr had mentioned on a BBC podcast last month that she had a “little bit more going on than an ACL”.
But Sermanni was unaware of any other issues.
“Absolutely not. If you’ve heard that, you’re telling me something I’ve not heard,” he said.
Kerr recently celebrated five years since signing for English giants Chelsea.
“5 years with Chelsea 💙 be back soon x,” she wrote on Instagram, along with a series of photos.
Meanwhile, Cortnee Vine (personal reasons) and Kaitlyn Torpey (hamstring) are unavailable for the upcoming friendlies.
The first game, in Brisbane, is retiring veteran Clare Polkinghorne’s celebration match, while Emily van Egmond is due to earn her 150th cap.
Tottenham winger Hayley Raso is back from a hamstring injury while goalkeeper Teagan Micah returns from an ankle issue and Chloe Logarzo, Emily Gielnik and Alex Chidiac have been recalled.
Not all players will assemble for the entire camp.
“There’ll be players playing in the initial two games and then there’ll be some going back, some staying on, and then players coming in for the second two games,” Sermanni said.
He hoped to field teams with a mixture of established stars and less experienced counterparts.
“It’s preferable to have a blended team. The reality is, whoever we play and whenever we play, we still want to put a team out that’s going to win games,” Sermanni said.
“So it’s getting the balance right between winning games, between putting strong teams out, and then also giving players opportunity at the same time.”
Isabel Gomez, Leah Davidson, Natasha Prior and Hana Lowry are among those rewarded with maiden call-ups.
Sydney FC star Mackenzie Hawkesby, Melbourne City midfielder Laura Hughes and Western United’s Grace Maher were overlooked.
Melbourne Victory captain Kayla Morrison isn’t in the squad as her eligibility switch from the United States hasn’t gone through.
“We’re just waiting for FIFA,” Sermanni said.
“All the paperwork, as I believe, has all gone in.
“And it’s a question of us just waiting to see when, if that comes back positively, and then we can move on from there.”
Sermanni again stressed he was prepared to be in the interim role for as long as needed as Football Australia’s hunt for a permanent full-time coach continues.
MATILDAS SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Morgan Aquino*, Mackenzie Arnold, Chloe Lincoln*, Teagan Micah
Defenders: Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Charli Grant, Winonah Heatley, Bryleeh Henry, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Matilda McNamara*, Jessika Nash, Courtney Nevin, Clare Polkinghorne, Natasha Prior*, Jamilla Rankin, Karly Roestbakken
Midfielders: Alex Chidiac, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Leah Davidson*, Daniela Galic, Isabel Gomez*, Katrina Gorry, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler, Tameka Yallop
Forwards: Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Sharn Freier, Emily Gielnik, Michelle Heyman, Chloe Logarzo, Hana Lowry*, Hayley Raso, Remy Siemsen
- With AAP
Originally published on 7NEWS Sport
