Injured Matildas skipper Sam Kerr watches training from the sidelines as concerns continue to mount she will miss the entire Women’s World Cup group stage
Injured Matildas skipper Sam Kerr watches training from the sidelines as concerns continue to mount that she will miss the entire group stage of the Women’s World Cup
- Injured skipper watched Matilda’s training
- Kerr has already been ruled out for the next game
- Star hopes to be back for the game in Canada
The Matildas have returned to the training rink in Brisbane, with injured skipper Sam Kerr sitting out, to prepare for the showdown with Nigeria.
Injured captain Sam Kerr has watched from the sidelines as the Matildas return to training as they prepare to face Nigeria without their biggest star.
Kerr, who was shocked after Australia’s opening 1-0 win against Ireland with a calf injury sustained the day before, has already been ruled out of Thursday night’s game at Suncorp Stadium.
Sunday’s practice, after Matildas players had Saturday off, was effectively a ‘Kerr watch’.
Kerr walked normally, and without a compression bandage on her left calf, on Sunday as she took part in a meet and greet with under-12 and under-15 players from local club Mt Gravatt Hawks, before watching as her teammates warmed up.
Injured captain Sam Kerr watched from the sidelines as the Matildas trained
Kerr has already been ruled out of Thursday night’s game at Suncorp Stadium
The 29-year-old chatted with her teammates, then helped pack some gear and sat down on an esky to watch them.
While Nigeria drew 0-0 against Canada on Friday, Australia can seal progress to the round of 16 with a victory on Thursday to move them to six points in Group B.
Kerr will be reassessed ahead of Canada on July 31, but with only four days between group matches, it seems likely Kerr is not at risk – especially if Australia are already through to the knockouts.
There is a full week of rest between the game in Canada and the round of 16, which starts on August 7.
That is clearly a more favorable recovery timeline for Kerr.
Kerr is clearly racing against time to be involved in the Matildas’ battle for silverware, though her teammates have indicated she will be available for the later stages of the tournament.
Tameka Yallop trained with the main group on Sunday, but still had a heavy band on her left thigh.
The midfielder stretched her left knee in hyperextension during the exhibition game against France.
The Aussie superstar will be reassessed ahead of the July 31 game against Canada
Kyah Simon, who is on her way back from knee reconstruction, follows her own program and does not join the rest of the team.
Alanna Kennedy was running laps while fellow centre-back Clare Hunt was training.
Football Australia confirmed that both players’ charges were just managed.