Injured Matildas captain Sam Kerr is still a bit up in the air about when she’ll be back in action, with her return to the international scene being described as a “camp by camp” decision. She might even opt to finish up a full pre-season with Chelsea before making a comeback. Interim boss Tom Sermanni has given the nod to Joe Montemurro as the expected new coach, as he gears up for what could be his final two games in charge. Kerr has been out of action since tearing her ACL at a Chelsea training camp back in January 2024, which means she’s missed out on playing in the upcoming friendlies against Argentina in Melbourne and Canberra.
Sermanni mentioned that Kerr is progressing well but isn’t quite ready to jump back into the game just yet. Chelsea is wrapping up their season, so the focus is now on getting Kerr back in shape for the next season’s pre-season kick-off. Kerr’s partner, Kristie Mewis, recently became a mom to their first child, Jagger, adding another layer to the mix. Despite not being on the field, Kerr is keeping in touch with Sermanni, who has a physio working closely with her in London alongside Chelsea. The plan is for Kerr to ease back into training with Chelsea before potentially joining the Matildas in the future.
As for the coaching front, Sermanni is set to lead the current camp, but the spotlight is on Montemurro, who is likely to take the reins as the new head coach afterward. The players are gearing up for the Argentina series, with stars like Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley, and Kyra Cooney-Cross scheduled to join the squad after the Champions League final. There are a few players missing due to personal reasons or injuries, but new faces like Isabel Gomez and Kahli Johnson could make their debut appearances. Amy Sayer is also making a comeback after recovering from an ACL injury last year, adding depth to the squad.
Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like Kerr’s return is still a bit uncertain, with her focusing on getting back to full fitness with Chelsea before considering a comeback with the Matildas. Sermanni is keeping a close eye on her progress, while also giving props to Montemurro as the potential new coach. The team is gearing up for the upcoming games against Argentina, with some fresh faces expected to make an impact. It’s all about taking it one camp at a time and seeing how things unfold for Kerr and the Matildas in the coming months.