Sam Kerr has taken a step closer to her highly anticipated return to football from a serious knee injury after joining her Matildas teammates in Perth.
The striker has not stepped out for her Women’s Super League club Chelsea or the national team in nearly 18 months as she recovers from a torn ACL.
Kerr suffered the injury at Chelsea’s warm-weather training camp in Morocco in January 2024 and has since battled setbacks in her recovery.
READ MORE: ‘Needs to go now’: Hasler urged to step down immediately
READ MORE: ‘You’re not Curtly’: Healy rips Windies star over Konstas barb
READ MORE: Hardwick apologises to AFL boss over ‘finger salute’
Sam Kerr is back running, taking another step closer to her return to football. Instagram
New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro recently revealed that the captain underwent a second surgery, though he stated that the intervention was unrelated to her existing injury.
While she will play no part in the Matildas’ friendlies against Slovenia and Panama during the international window in June and July, the 31-year-old has touched down in her home city of Perth.
In a previous social media post, Kerr shared images of her running through football drills during a trip to Mallorca, Spain, with her partner Kristie Mewis and newborn son Jagger.
On Tuesday, she posted an Instagram story from the Sam Kerr Football Centre in Perth, where the national team is currently based ahead of games at Perth Rectangular Stadium and Hands Oval in Bunbury.
Kerr has been working with both Chelsea and Football Australia’s medical and performance staff during her recovery.
While a full-time physio in London is dedicated to her rehab with Chelsea, as Kerr is on leave from the club, her recovery is under the supervision of the Matildas’ Performance Support team.
It is understood that Kerr is set to complete a combination of individual sessions and participate in select training activities with her Matildas teammates.
Sam Kerr’s Instagram story confirming her presence in Perth with the Matildas squad. @samanthakerr20 via Instagram
Kerr was not named in Montemurro’s 33-player squad for the four games in Western Australia. Some players will only participate in one series, with the Matildas to play both countries twice.
Speaking following the announcement, Montemurro confirmed he had been talking to Kerr and that her rehab is progressing well, though she has not yet been cleared for competitive matches.
While Kerr’s return-to-play timeline remains unclear, Football Australia is playing its part to ensure her reintegration into the national team.
“We’re monitoring that on a day-to-day, week-to-week scenario,” Montemurro said.
“She’s on track and we’re working closely with Chelsea to make sure she’s ready for the season going in from there.
“Everything’s pointing in a positive way and going in the direction we feel that’s right.”
The Matildas are set to play their first game under Montemurro against Slovenia on Thursday, with kick-off at 9pm AEST at Perth Rectangular Stadium.
